California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation on September 29, 2026, allowing food companies to label their products as non-ultra-processed foods (UPFs). This law introduces the first seal in the U.S. indicating that products meet specific standards for not being ultra-processed, according to state lawmaker Jesse Gabriel, who sponsored the bill.
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The initiative is modeled after the "USDA Organic" label and will be overseen by the California Department of Public Health. Food manufacturers seeking to use the "California Certified" seal will need to apply to accredited certification agents and undergo recertification every three years.
Under this law, grocery stores in California with gross sales exceeding $10 million must prominently display products with the seal in designated high-traffic areas. The state's definition of UPFs includes foods and beverages with specified additives and high levels of saturated fat, sodium, added sugars, or non-nutritive sweeteners.
In a statement, Newsom emphasized the importance of focusing on preventative healthcare, stating, "It's why California is focused on making whole, healthy foods as accessible as possible." He noted that the state aims to challenge the status quo and lead national innovation in public health.
Consumer advocacy groups have welcomed the new law. Bernadette Del Chiaro, Senior Vice President for California at the Environmental Working Group (EWG), stated, "Today California raised the bar for what we consider healthy food. Consumers deserve labels they can trust."
The law aligns with efforts championed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has long criticized the American food industry for the prevalence of ultra-processed foods and their role in rising chronic disease rates. He stated that many banned chemicals in Europe are found in American processed foods, asserting the dangers they pose to public health.
Research shows that Americans derive over half of their calories from ultra-processed foods. A 2022 study by the CDC and the University of São Paulo linked high consumption of these foods to increased cardiovascular disease risk. In 2024, Kennedy introduced new dietary guidelines encouraging a reduction in highly processed foods, further advocating for Americans to avoid certain packaged items and sugar-sweetened beverages.