California Lawmakers Pass First-in-Nation Non-Ultraprocessed Food Seal

The California State Legislature unanimously passed Assembly Bill 2244, establishing a first-in-the-nation voluntary Non-Ultraprocessed Certified seal for packaged food products. Authored by Jesse Gabriel, the legislation passed the State Senate 32-0 and the State Assembly 72-0. The bill now awaits the signature of Governor Gavin Newsom, who must act by September 30.

Under the law, the California Department of Public Health will oversee the certification program and must accredit third-party certification agents by June 1, 2029. Food manufacturers can apply for the seal by meeting specific standards regarding sodium, added sugars, saturated fats, and additives. To ensure visibility, grocery stores with annual sales exceeding $10 million must prominently display at least three certified items if they carry more than 25.

This measure builds on a series of additive-related laws authored by Gabriel, including the California Food Safety Act of 2023 and the Real Food, Healthy Kids Act of 2025, the latter of which phases out ultraprocessed foods in public schools. While the bill aims to simplify healthy shopping for families, it faces potential legal challenges from food manufacturers and farmers regarding its implementation details.