California cracks down on ultra-processed foods and dyes while boosting school meal standards

The US is set to increase access to affordable, nutritious meals in California after its governor, Gavin Newsom, issued an executive order for agencies to crack down on ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and food dyes. 

“The food we eat shouldn’t make us sick with disease or lead to lifelong consequences,” states Newsom. “California has been a leader for years in creating healthy and delicious school meals and removing harmful ingredients and chemicals from food.”

“We’re going to work with the industry, consumers and experts to crack down on ultra-processed foods and create a healthier future for every Californian.”

Recent research has warned over half of US adults’ calorie consumption comes from UPFs, while other studies link UPFs with accelerated biological aging next to increased colorectal cancer and non-communicable diseases.

The new Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee recommends including more nutrient-dense plant-based meals in the country’s dietary recommendations. However, the report found that 73% of US adults over 20 are overweight or obese, and 38% of children and youth between 12 and 19 are prediabetic.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CPSI) regulatory counsel, Jensen Jose, applauds the initiative. “After decades of federal and industry inaction, it’s exciting to see policymakers in California and others at the state level ready to transform our food environment. With the FDA failing to act on several of these issues and industry predictably resistant, it is past time for the states to step in and protect public health.”

Executive order

The governor’s office says it aims to limit health risks from UPFs and synthetic food dyes. 

Newsom urges California to expand its universal school food programs.It recommends reducing the consumption of these foods and that California should consider care and hospital facilities to promote fresh, healthy food access and adopt higher standards for school meals. It further says the state should explore partners and standards to protect and expand universal school food programs.

“Through today’s executive order, we’re making a decisive and transformative commitment to further California’s work to prioritize health and nutrition as fundamental building blocks for thriving communities,” says first partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom.

“By connecting the dots between whole food, mental wellness and strong cognition, we are creating an environment where every child has the opportunity to realize their full potential. This is a powerful move toward health, equity and a California for all kids.”

Jose states: “CSPI has long advocated for safer foods in California, including supporting legislation that banned Red 3 and the remaining synthetic dyes in school foods.”

“We are also strong supporters of warning labels on certain ultra-processed foods, namely those high in sodium and added sugars. CSPI continues to advocate for policies requiring warning labels on all foods with synthetic dyes and those with excess sodium and added sugars.”

California school meals

Newsom underlines that children eat most of their meals at school and cites research finding that healthy meals result in better attendance, higher academic achievement and improved health.

He says California was the first state to provide a Universal Meals Program for schoolchildren, giving access to two free meals per day. It was also the first to reduce sugar and salt in school meals based on President Biden’s federal guidelines on school nutrition standards.

Compared to federal regulations, California also bans sodas on K-12 campuses, restricts caffeine and requires all entrées in a day to meet standards for calories, total fat and trans fat. The state has also proposed a sugar limit on non-dairy milk, which is expected to go into effect in 2025.