NextFin news, LOS ANGELES — On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1264 (AB 1264), establishing the nation’s first law to define and ban ultraprocessed foods from school lunches across the state. The legislation aims to phase out the most concerning ultraprocessed food items from school meals to ensure students receive nutritious, additive-free food that supports their health and learning.
AB 1264, introduced by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-San Fernando Valley), provides a statutory definition of ultraprocessed foods and sets a timeline for their removal from California public school meal programs. The law reflects a bipartisan effort to improve children’s nutrition and reduce exposure to harmful chemical additives commonly found in ultraprocessed products.
Governor Newsom emphasized the importance of the law, stating, "California has never waited for Washington or anyone else to lead on kids’ health — we’ve been out front for years, removing harmful additives and improving school nutrition. This first-in-the-nation law builds on that work to make sure every California student has access to healthy, delicious meals that help them thrive." The Governor’s Office highlighted that the law is based on the principle that schools should not serve foods that can harm children’s health or interfere with their ability to learn.
First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom noted the significance of the law for students who rely on school meals as their primary source of nutrition, saying, "By removing the most concerning ultraprocessed foods, we’re helping children stay nourished, focused, and ready to learn. AB 1264 is the first law of its kind in the nation and builds on California’s long record of leading with children’s health and well-being at the forefront."
Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel praised the bipartisan collaboration behind the bill, stating, "While Washington DC is paralyzed by inaction, California is once again leading the nation with a bipartisan, commonsense, science-based approach. Here in the Golden State, Democrats and Republicans are joining forces to ensure that students are receiving healthy, nutritious meals that are made from real foods, not harmful chemical additives."
The law aligns with Governor Newsom’s January 2025 executive order directing state agencies to recommend actions to limit harms associated with ultraprocessed foods and harmful food ingredients. California has previously enacted legislation banning certain chemical additives such as red dye 3 and brominated vegetable oil from school foods and has implemented a Universal Meals Program providing free meals to all public TK-12 students regardless of income.
Public health data underscores the urgency of the law. In July 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 32.7% of children and youth aged 12 to 19 are prediabetic, linking poor diet to chronic health risks including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. California’s new law aims to combat these trends by improving the nutritional quality of school meals.
California’s leadership in school nutrition reform includes banning sodas on K-12 campuses, restricting caffeine in all grades, and codifying federal nutrition standards to reduce sugar and salt in school meals. AB 1264 represents a further step in the state’s ongoing efforts to protect student health and promote access to wholesome, locally sourced food.
The law is expected to be phased in over several years, allowing schools time to transition away from ultraprocessed foods and adopt healthier alternatives. California’s pioneering legislation sets a precedent that may influence national policy on school nutrition in the future.
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