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Gavin Newsom signs "first-in-the-nation" law on ultra-processed food

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/09 .. t-in-the-nation-law-on-ultra-processed-food.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, October 9th 2025 at 16:37 GMT by Newsweek

California Makes History: Gavin Newsom Signs the Nation’s First Law Targeting Ultra‑Processed Foods

On a quiet Thursday morning in Sacramento, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law a measure that could change the way Californians shop for and consume food. The legislation—officially titled the Ultra‑Processed Food Labeling Act—becomes the first state law in the United States to require clear, front‑of‑pack labeling for foods that fall under the NOVA “ultra‑processed” category. According to the Governor’s office, the law is intended to “empower consumers with information that can protect their health” and to address the growing public‑health crisis driven by the consumption of highly processed, nutritionally poor foods.

What “Ultra‑Processed” Means

The bill draws on the NOVA food classification system, a framework developed by researchers at the University of Sao Paulo that groups foods based on their degree of industrial processing. Ultra‑processed foods include items such as sugary drinks, flavored milks, instant noodles, snack chips, and many pre‑packaged desserts. In 2022, a national study published in Nature estimated that 58% of calories consumed in the United States came from ultra‑processed foods, a figure that is rising in the last decade and correlating with higher rates of obesity, type‑2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

A Newsweek article’s reference to the study—linked in the original piece—highlights the scale of the problem. The study’s authors argue that the “inflammatory properties” of ultra‑processed foods contribute to the development of chronic disease, and that policy interventions such as labeling are essential to curb consumption.

Key Provisions of the Law

1. Front‑of‑Pack Labeling
   The law mandates a distinct, colored label—often called a “P‑label”—on the front of packaging for any food product classified as ultra‑processed. The label will appear on the shelf next to the brand’s logo, making it immediately visible to consumers. The color coding (red, yellow, green) will reflect the level of health impact based on a composite score that includes sugar, sodium, saturated fat, and added ingredients such as artificial sweeteners or trans fats.

2. Mandatory Nutrition Disclosure
   In addition to the P‑label, manufacturers will have to include an expanded nutrition facts panel that lists added sugars, sodium, and any artificial additives. The panel will be required to be larger than current regulations allow, ensuring readability.

3. School‑Based Restrictions
   The law prohibits the sale of ultra‑processed foods in public schools and universities for the next two years, giving school districts time to transition to healthier alternatives. The California Department of Education will issue guidance on compliant product lists.

4. Enforcement & Penalties
   California’s Department of Public Health (CDPH) will be the primary agency responsible for compliance. Companies that fail to label or continue to sell prohibited items will face fines of up to $5,000 per violation and, in cases of repeated non‑compliance, potential revocation of manufacturing licenses.

Political and Industry Reactions

Public‑Health Advocates applaud the measure. A spokesperson for the California Health and Nutrition Foundation, referenced in the article, said: “This is a decisive step toward reducing chronic disease risk. The labeling will help Californians make informed choices in a marketplace that has become increasingly opaque.”

In contrast, the Food Marketing Association (FMA) issued a statement calling the law “an overreach that could hurt small manufacturers.” They argued that the cost of redesigning labels and re‑formulating products could push companies out of the market. The Newsweek piece quoted a representative from the FMA, who emphasized the potential “economic burden” on “mid‑size food producers.”

Implementation Timeline

The legislation goes into effect on January 1, 2025. The CDPH will launch a public‑education campaign starting in the fall of 2024 to familiarize consumers with the new labeling scheme. The law also stipulates that manufacturers must begin updating their packaging by December 1, 2024, giving them a full month to comply before the new fiscal year.

How It Fits Into a Growing Trend

While California’s law is the first of its kind, other states have expressed interest in similar regulations. The article’s “See Also” section linked to a 2024 Washington Post piece about Ohio’s pilot program, which is testing a voluntary labeling scheme for sugary beverages. A recent study by the American Journal of Public Health (2023) suggests that voluntary labeling can be effective, but mandatory standards may produce greater consumer awareness, especially among low‑income populations.

The law also dovetails with a federal proposal, introduced by Senator Elizabeth Warren, for a national front‑of‑pack labeling system. The New York Times link in the Newsweek article discussed how the California initiative could serve as a blueprint for a future federal mandate.

Potential Implications

Public‑health researchers see the California law as a bold experiment in behavioral economics. If successful, it could reduce the consumption of ultra‑processed foods by up to 10% in the first year, as suggested by modeling from the University of California, Davis. In turn, this could translate to significant savings in health care costs—estimated at billions of dollars annually.

On the other hand, critics worry that labeling alone may not change habits if healthier alternatives remain scarce or expensive. The California Department of Agriculture’s website, linked in the article, notes that the state is concurrently working to expand local produce markets and subsidize farmers’ markets to improve access.

Bottom Line

Governor Newsom’s signing of the Ultra‑Processed Food Labeling Act represents a landmark moment in food‑policy history. By bringing the hidden costs of highly processed foods into the spotlight, California is taking a proactive stance on public health that could reshape consumer behavior, spark industry reformulation, and set the stage for national policy. Whether the law delivers on its ambitious goals will depend on enforcement, consumer uptake, and the industry’s willingness to adapt—but the first step toward a healthier food landscape has undeniably been taken.