California has introduced a new state‑backed label that will identify foods free of ultra‑processing, a move Governor Gavin Newsom says will pave the way for similar schemes nationwide.
A New Label for Healthier Foods
The “California Certified” seal will appear on products such as breads, tinned goods and fresh fruit that meet strict criteria for minimal processing. Manufacturers must apply to the California Department of Public Health by 1 June 2028 to use the mark, with renewal required every three years. Newsom signed the legislation this week, describing it as part of the state’s broader strategy to improve public health through better food access. He added that California is “clearing the way for the rest of the country to follow”.
What Counts as Ultra‑Processed?
Ultra‑processed foods are defined as items containing ingredients that would not typically be found in a home kitchen, including chemical preservatives, artificial sweeteners, colourings and flavourings. Think brightly coloured crisps, sugary snacks and certain cured meats. Numerous studies have linked regular consumption of these products to heightened risks of cancer, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and premature death. Federal data show that more than half of the average American’s daily calorie intake now comes from such foods.
State‑Wide and National Actions
California is not acting alone. Arizona this year prohibited ultra‑processed foods in all public schools, while New York City has removed processed meats from school menus and limited artificial colours and sweeteners in meals served across municipal facilities. The Golden State remains the first to introduce a dedicated label for non‑ultra‑processed items, modelling the scheme on the USDA Organic programme that guarantees production without synthetic pesticides or fertilisers.
In addition to the labelling initiative, California has moved to ban certain additives in ultra‑processed products. The City of San Francisco has filed a lawsuit against several of the nation’s largest food manufacturers, arguing that the health‑care costs tied to ultra‑processed diets constitute a growing burden on state resources. According to the non‑profit Environmental Working Group, nearly half of all states are either considering or have already introduced legislation aimed at regulating ultra‑processed foods.
Federal Pushback and Support
At the national level, the Trump administration has pursued its own agenda under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Health Again” initiative. The Department of Health and Human Services has urged manufacturers to phase out artificial dyes in ultra‑processed foods, with Kennedy warning that “these poisonous compounds offer no nutritional benefit and pose real, measurable dangers to our children’s health and development”.
However, reports in The Wall Street Journal suggested internal White House resistance, with staffers allegedly concerned that a broad definition of ultra‑processing could encompass most grocery‑store items and harm industry interests. In response, Calley Means, a senior adviser at HHS, told The Independent that the notion of a White House block on the MAHA food agenda is false, emphasising that HHS, the USDA and the administration are collaborating to ensure any reforms are scientifically rigorous, legally durable and beneficial for American families.
Why it Matters
The introduction of a state‑recognised label for non‑ultra‑processed foods offers consumers a clear, trustworthy tool to make healthier choices amid a market dominated by heavily processed options. By setting a deadline for manufacturer compliance and tying the seal to regular recertification, California creates accountability that could incentivise reformulation across the industry. If other states follow suit, the cumulative effect may shift dietary patterns, reduce the prevalence of diet‑related diseases and lessen the long‑term health‑care burden linked to ultra‑processed consumption.