TL;DR
Get kitchen staples and gadgets delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law creating a voluntary label for products that meet the state’s definition of non-ultraprocessed food. Large grocery stores that carry at least 25 certified products must display qualifying items prominently. Food industry groups say differing definitions could confuse shoppers and affect future nutrition policies.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law creating a voluntary label for foods that do not meet the state’s definition of ultraprocessed products, giving shoppers a new way to identify qualifying items. The law also requires large grocery stores carrying at least 25 certified products to display those items prominently, while food industry groups warn that differing definitions of ultraprocessed food could make labels harder to interpret.
The label may be used on products that fall outside California’s definition of ultraprocessed foods, which the state established in 2025. That definition covers products containing at least one additive, as well as products with high amounts of saturated fat, sodium or added sugar. The source report does not specify how the new law defines “large” grocery stores or when the display requirement takes effect.
The seal is voluntary for manufacturers; the law’s stated retail requirement applies when a large grocery store carries at least 25 certified products. Lawmakers behind the measure said the label is intended to offer a transparent, simple way to identify healthier options. That is the law’s aim, rather than an independently established finding that every labeled product is healthier overall.
California’s approach centers on ingredients and nutritional composition, while other non-ultraprocessed labels also consider the degree of processing. Existing options cited in the report include the Non-GMO Project’s Non-UPF Verified Standard and the nonprofit Non-UPF Program’s Non-UPF Certified seal. The report does not detail how certification for California’s label will be administered.
A New Signal on Grocery Shelves
The law could change how shoppers encounter information about food processing in stores: qualifying products may receive prominent placement in larger grocers, alongside the option to carry a state label. That visibility may help consumers identify products that meet California’s criteria, but the label’s presence alone does not establish that a product is the best choice for every person or dietary need.
Definitions can also shape decisions beyond shopping. Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) vice president of science and policy Anna Rosales said definitions may influence school meals, nutrition assistance programs, reformulation, front-of-pack labels and dietary guidance. Those are potential effects she identified; the source does not say the California law has already changed those programs or policies.
For manufacturers selling across state lines, divergent rules could add complexity to product formulation and labeling. For consumers, multiple seals that use different criteria could make comparisons less straightforward. California’s law therefore raises a practical question for the food system: whether the state’s approach will be adopted elsewhere or sit alongside competing standards.
California’s Definition and Other Seals
California became the first state to define ultraprocessed foods in September 2025, according to the report. The state’s definition includes an additive or high levels of saturated fat, sodium or added sugar. The new law builds on that earlier policy by establishing a label for products outside the defined category.
Non-ultraprocessed labels already exist outside the state program. The report describes California’s method as more focused on nutritional and ingredient composition than labels that consider processing degree. Food scientists and industry experts have cautioned that a processing-only approach could penalize foods such as whole-grain bread or yogurt, which can contribute nutrients to people’s diets. That concern is part of the debate over how to define processing; it does not establish how California’s label will classify every bread or yogurt product.
““We should be about healthcare, not sick-care, recognizing that preventing illnesses is far preferable to finding — and affording — treatments.””
— Gavin Newsom, California governor
Certification and Store Rules Ahead
The available report does not state when the law’s requirements begin, how the state will certify products, or what qualifies a retailer as a large grocery store. It also does not provide the detailed criteria for what counts as a “high” amount of saturated fat, sodium or added sugar, beyond summarizing the state definition.
It remains unclear whether other states will adopt California’s definition or create different ones, and whether the state label will reduce confusion or add to the existing range of seals. The source reports industry concerns about potential confusion, not evidence that shoppers are already misled by California’s new label.
Retail Display and Policy Rollout
The next developments will be the state’s implementation of the label and the retail display requirement. Shoppers and manufacturers will need details on certification, qualifying products and the timing of store obligations to understand how the program works in practice.
Food companies, retailers and policy groups will also be watching whether other states adopt similar definitions. IFT has called for a consistent, science-based framework; the source report does not identify a forthcoming national standard or a specific next policy date. For now, the law establishes California’s program, while its reach and effects remain to be seen.
Key Questions
What did California enact?
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law creating a voluntary label for products that do not meet California’s definition of ultraprocessed food.
Which products qualify for the label?
Products outside the state’s definition may use the label. That definition covers foods containing at least one additive or high amounts of saturated fat, sodium or added sugar. The report does not give all certification details.
Do grocery stores have to display labeled products?
Large grocery stores that carry at least 25 certified products must display them prominently. The report does not say when the requirement begins or define which stores count as large.
Why are food industry groups concerned?
IFT says varying definitions across states could give manufacturers and consumers different interpretations of ultraprocessed food. The organization says definitions may also affect nutrition programs and labeling policies.
Source: rss
Halloween Picks
halloween
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
