What foods are banned in California schools: California cracks down: Ultraprocessed foods out of schools — here’s what kids can’t eat
California Bans Ultra-Processed Foods in Schools
The legislation bans so-called “ultra-processed foods of concern” from being served at public school breakfasts and lunches and gives schools a 10-year period to eliminate them completely, NBC News reports.
The law defines ultra-processed foods as those that pose the greatest health risks based on scientific evidence. Directs the state Department of Public Health to decide by June 2028 which specific products will meet this definition.
The Link Between Diet and Child Mental Health
“There’s really a growing awareness, especially among millennial parents like myself, that how we feed our children is not only important for their physical health, but it’s also deeply connected to their mental health and emotional health,” said Democratic State Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel, who introduced the bill, as quoted in the NBC News report.
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Gabriel added: “We have a lot of parents like me in the Legislature, and it appears that parents, whether they are Democrats, Republicans, conservatives or progressives, want the same thing as conveyed in the report.”
The bill passed the House with bipartisan support in September, and “This is a movement that should unite all of us, regardless of political views,” Newsom said at a signing ceremony held at Belvedere Middle School in Los Angeles, according to NBC News.
How Much Ultra-Processed Food Do Children Consume?
According to an NBC News report, children and adolescents in the United States, on average, get about 62% of their calories from ultra-processed foods, often products containing small amounts of whole ingredients.
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What Makes Food ‘Ultra Processed’?
According to the report, California law defines “hyperprocessed foods” as products that contain high levels of saturated fat, sodium or added sugar, along with one or more additives such as stabilizers, thickeners, colorants or non-nutritive sweeteners.
Schools Have Until 2035 to Completely Eliminate These Foods
A separate definition includes “ultra-processed foods of concern,” which are products that schools must phase out starting in 2029 and eliminate entirely by 2035, according to the NBC News report.
The Department of Public Health will evaluate foods based on their addiction potential, scientific evidence of health risks and whether other states or countries have banned them, according to the report.
Healthy School Meals Could Save Districts Money
Gabriel noted that schools that are already moving away from overly processed meals do not face higher costs, as quoted in the report: “For school districts that are already moving in this direction, we’ve found that serving kids real, healthy food not only doesn’t cost them more, but they actually save money.”
FAQ
What is California’s new food law?
Some ultra-processed foods are being banned from school meals over the next decade.
When will schools need to stop serving these foods?
Schools must begin phasing them out by 2029 and eliminate them completely by 2035.
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