California has become the first state to begin removing ultra-processed foods from school meals.
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Oct. 8 signed into law Assembly Bill 1264 to target foods with chemical additives and phase them out of school meals.
“This first-in-the-nation law … [makes] sure every California student has access to healthy, delicious meals that help them thrive,” Newsom said in a statement.
The new law means certain favorite junk foods—such as frozen pizza, potato chips, breakfast cereals, and sugary drinks—will not be served in California schools in the next few years.
Parts of the law will be phased in. By Dec. 31, 2027, foods sold to students must not contain certain food dyes, such as Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6….