SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California lawmakers recently approved landmark legislation that would create the nation’s first state-certified label identifying foods that are not ultra-processed, giving consumers a new tool to make healthier food choices.
Assembly Bill 2244, authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), would establish a state certification program for products that meet California’s standards for non-ultra-processed foods. The measure, co-sponsored by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), now awaits Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature.
If signed into law, products meeting the criteria could display a government-backed “Non-Ultraprocessed Certified” seal, while larger grocery retailers would be required to make certified products easier for shoppers to identify through signage or product placement.
“Parents shouldn’t need a Ph.D. in chemistry to understand what they’re feeding their kids,” Gabriel said in a statement. “AB 2244 will provide consumers with clear, trustworthy information and make it easier to find healthier foods that are free from harmful additives.”
The bill builds on Gabriel’s earlier legislation, AB 1264, which established California’s legal definition of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and restricted certain products from K-12 public schools.
Under AB 2244, foods containing ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processing, including certain dyes, flavor enhancers, artificial sweeteners and processing aids, would not qualify for certification. The California Department of Public Health would oversee the program and accredit third-party certifying organizations by June 2029. Certified products would be required to undergo recertification at least every three years.
Supporters say the measure would increase transparency and accountability through state oversight, public disclosure of certified products and enforcement against misuse of the label.
The retailer requirement would apply to grocery stores generating more than $10 million in annual sales that carry at least 25 certified non-UPF products.
Advocates cite growing concerns about the health effects of ultra-processed foods, which account for more than half of the average American diet and more than two-thirds of children's diets. Research has linked high consumption of UPFs to obesity, Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and other chronic health conditions.
“Consumers deserve labels they can trust,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, EWG’s senior vice president for California. “This bill creates a simple way for families to identify foods that are closer to what comes from a kitchen rather than a factory.”
Nutrition experts say front-of-package labeling can help consumers make healthier choices at a time when identifying ultra-processed foods remains difficult.
Alyssa Moran, deputy director of the Center for Food and Nutrition Policy at the University of Pennsylvania, said even nutrition experts can struggle to determine whether a food is ultra-processed based solely on ingredient lists.
“Clear, science-backed labels on the front of food packages can be highly influential in helping people make better choices,” Moran said.
