California Law Bans Ultra-Processed Foods in School Meals

California is advancing landmark legislation under Governor Gavin Newsom to improve food safety and nutritional standards in public schools. Assembly Bill 1264, authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, defines ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and mandates the identification and phased removal of especially harmful UPFs from school meals by 2035, with broad bipartisan support despite opposition from industry groups. Additionally, Newsom signed Assembly Bill 418 banning four controversial food additives, including Red No. 3 and brominated vegetable oil, starting in 2027, a move criticized by the National Confectioners Association for creating inconsistent state regulations. These food-related laws reflect California's proactive stance on public health as it seeks to set standards that may influence national policy. Meanwhile, California is also progressing on AI regulation, with a bill requiring safety disclosures for frontier AI models, highlighting the state's broader regulatory ambitions. These initiatives collectively distinguish Newsom’s administration from the federal approach under President Donald Trump, underscoring California’s leadership on health and technology issues.