California moves to curb ultraprocessed foods in supermarkets

A California bill would create a "California Certified" label for products described as not ultraprocessed, with applicants able to seek accreditation beginning by June 2028 and certifications renewed every three years.

California lawmakers are advancing a bill to address ultraprocessed foods sold in grocery stores by creating a state certification and label. The proposal follows recent state actions that phased ultraprocessed items out of school lunches and restricted certain dyes and chemicals in school and state sales. The bill's author says the program is modeled on the USDA Organic certification process and aims to clarify product claims for consumers. Supporters and national advocates frame the effort as a public‑health and consumer‑information measure, while manufacturers have pushed back citing regulatory and cost concerns. Key details: - The bill would allow companies to apply to an accredited certification agent to use a "California Certified" seal for products described as not ultraprocessed. - Applications would be available by June 2028, and certifications would need renewal every three years, according to the proposal's author, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel. - The proposal is described as modeled on the USDA Organic label, requiring firms to pursue certification through accredited agents. - The article reports that supporters, including the Environmental Working Group's California lead Bernadette Del Chiaro, say the label would explicitly indicate products are not ultraprocessed. - A POLITICO and Public First poll cited in the article found more than 60 percent support for removing ultraprocessed foods from shelves, with majorities across partisan groups in the survey. - The article notes national manufacturers have responded that state ingredient rules and certification requirements could raise consumer prices and complicate existing systems. Summary: Supporters say the bill would create a state certification and label intended to identify products described as not ultraprocessed, modeled on existing organic certification processes and timed to allow applications by mid‑2028. Undetermined at this time.