California Enacts First-in-Nation Food Labeling Law to Mark Non-Ultra-Processed Foods

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2244 on Sept. 28, creating the nation's first official state label to identify food products that are not ultra-processed, according to an announcement from the governor's office. The voluntary seal is designed to provide consumers with a clear, reliable indicator on grocery store shelves when selecting less-processed items.

Authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), the legislation was modeled after the established USDA Organic labeling framework. Gabriel stated in a release from the governor's office, "Parents shouldn’t need a Ph.D. in chemistry to understand what they’re feeding their kids." Under California law, products are generally categorized as ultra-processed if they contain additives such as artificial colors, flavors, or emulsifiers and are high in sodium, saturated fat, or added sugar, or contain artificial sweeteners. Common examples include sodas, chips, sugary cereals, and snack cakes.

While participating in the labeling program is optional for food manufacturers, reporting from Food Dive notes that large grocery stores carrying at least 25 qualifying items will be required to display those products prominently. However, consumers will not see the official seal immediately. The California Department of Public Health is scheduled to launch the first phase of the rollout in June 2029.

The policy arrives as public health research continues to underscore the disproportionate harm ultra-processed foods inflict on Black Americans. A heart study published this year and reported by TCTMD revealed that ultra-processed foods made up 32 percent of daily food servings among Black participants, compared to 30 percent among white participants. Furthermore, for every 10 percent increase in ultra-processed food intake, Black participants experienced a 12.3 percent higher risk of cardiovascular disease, compared to a 7.9 percent risk increase for non-Black participants.

Researchers attributed these health disparities to systemic commercial and geographic factors. According to a 2022 report from the Rudd Center at the University of Connecticut, three-quarters of TV ad spending targeted at Black consumers in 2021 went toward candy, sugary drinks, snacks, and cereals, up from roughly half in 2017. Researchers also noted that many Black neighborhoods have fewer retail options offering fresh, unrefined food.

The legislation faced opposition from food and manufacturing industry groups, including the Consumer Brands Association, which represents major packaged-food companies. Opponents argued that adapting the state's 2025 definition used for school meal standards is impractical for commercial grocery store shelves.

California has previously set trends for national food policy, having established the first organic food labeling program prior to the implementation of the USDA Organic seal. While federal regulators are currently working on a national definition for ultra-processed food, California's positive front-of-pack seal differs from approach taken by Latin American nations such as Chile and Mexico, which use black warning labels to alert shoppers to high levels of sugar, salt, and fat.