California Governor Launches Investigation into Ultra-Processed Foods

January 3, 2025 TruthUSA

The governor’s office stated that the measures are ‘intended to promote affordable, healthy living and mitigate the rising impact of chronic diseases on Californians.’

On January 3, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order instructing state agencies to propose actions targeting ultra-processed foods and associated health issues within the state.

The governor’s office noted that these foods pose health risks, and emphasized that Newsom’s initiatives are “intended to promote affordable, healthy living and mitigate the rising impact of chronic diseases affecting Californians.”

“The food we consume should not contribute to illness or lifelong health challenges,” Newsom declared in a statement. “We will collaborate with industry stakeholders, consumers, and experts to tackle ultra-processed foods and build a healthier tomorrow for every Californian.”

The executive order directs the California Department of Public Health to provide suggestions to the governor’s office “concerning possible actions to limit the risks associated with ‘ultra-processed foods’ and food components that may harm individuals” by April 1, 2025.

Among the suggested actions is the possibility of implementing warning labels for specific food items.

Additionally, the executive order requests that the California Department of Social Services offer recommendations on “measures the State can adopt to decrease the consumption of soda, candy, other ultra-processed foods, and/or foods containing synthetic food dyes or other additives.”

The governor also requested the California Department of Health Care Services to provide a report by April 1 on the practicality of compelling or encouraging Medi-Cal managed care plans and California hospitals to utilize certain funds to “improve access to fresh, healthy foods” and “enhance public health at the local level.”

The executive order referenced the latest updates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding school nutrition standards and instructed the State Board of Education and the California Department of Education to identify by October 1, “areas where California may implement higher standards for nutritious school meals.”

Recently, President-elect Donald Trump has selected Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his forthcoming administration’s secretary of Health and Human Services, who has consistently voiced concerns about ultra-processed foods.

A report released on November 22, 2024, by the Congressional Research Service highlighted that there is “growing concern among researchers and policymakers regarding the production, labeling, and marketing of ultra-processed foods.” However, U.S. laws and regulations currently lack a definition for ultra-processed foods.

According to a recent report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 73 percent of adults aged 20 and older are classified as overweight or obese, with 38 percent of adolescents and youth aged 12 to 19 being pre-diabetic.

“The pervasive occurrence of nutrition-related chronic health issues remains a significant public health challenge in the United States,” the department noted in the report.

In September, Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 2316, which prohibits public schools from serving foods containing six synthetic dyes: Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, and Green 3. This law is scheduled to take effect at the end of December 2027.

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