California is making huge waves in school nutrition because the state is now the first in the entire US to start phasing out certain ultra-processed foods from school meals over the next decade. This new, first-in-the-nation law was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday, and it’s a massive move that aims to redefine what’s considered “healthy” in school cafeterias, eventually banning those super-tasty but often not-so-great products that are typically full of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.
It’s an aggressive move, but one that could genuinely change how our kids eat for the better, even if it means saying goodbye to some classic favorites like deep-fried chicken nuggets and, yes, the beloved tater tot. Honestly, if you’ve been paying attention to what’s happening in California, this shouldn’t come as a huge surprise. The Golden State has long been out in front when it comes to student health.
Just a few years ago, in 2022, California became the first state in the country to make school meals completely free for all students, no matter their income. They also led the way in bringing local foods into school meals through farm-to-school programs, per The Guardian.
California is taking away your kids’ tasty meals
On top of all that, they were the first state to ban six synthetic food dyes from school meals last year, and they also banned four specific chemicals already prohibited in Europe back in 2023. This time around, they’re just taking that commitment to the next level.
The timeline for this change is pretty ambitious, but it’s definitely doable. The new law requires the state’s Department of Public Health to first figure out the exact definitions for “ultra-processed foods of concern” and “restricted school foods.” They’ve got until mid-2028 to iron out those rules. Schools will then have to start phasing out those foods by July 2029, and by July 2035, districts will be completely banned from selling them for breakfast or lunch.
California becomes first state to phase out ultra-processed foods from school meals https://t.co/adabiSqEZl pic.twitter.com/naaMir02Un
— New York Post (@nypost) October 9, 2025
The vendors who supply these “foods of concern” will be barred from providing them to schools starting in 2032, which should help everyone transition smoothly. For many health professionals and lawmakers, this is a necessary and common-sense change. Assembly Member Jesse Gabriel, who sponsored the bills targeting ultra-processed foods, pointed out how far behind the US is compared to the rest of the world.
He previously said, “It really blew my mind how out of step the United States is with the rest of the world when it comes to food safety.” He went on to ask, “We don’t love our kids here in the United States any less than they love their kids in Sweden or Saudi Arabia or South Korea. So why is it that they are taking stronger measures to protect their kids than we are?”
Governor Newsom echoed that sentiment, saying that California isn’t waiting around for federal action. “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,” he said in a statement. Newsom added that 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.”
