Children in California schools are about to get a major upgrade to their lunch trays. The state has just made history, becoming the first in the United States to kick ultra-processed foods out of its school cafeterias. This bold move aims to protect the health of kids who eat more than a billion school meals every year.
Governor Gavin Newsom put his signature on the “Real Food, Healthy Kids Act” on October 8, 2025. This new law clearly defines and then bans foods packed with extra additives, sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. These are the kinds of items often called “ultra-processed foods,” or UPFs for short. The bill passing California’s legislature in mid-September was a big win for better food choices.
The push for cleaner eating in schools has been building. State Representative Jesse Gabriel, a Democrat, was key in getting this bill passed. He highlighted California’s quick action. Gabriel said, “While Washington still forms committees and writes reports, California is actually doing something to keep our children healthy.”
Bernadette Del Chiaro from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) also championed the law. She explained that communities are fed up with chemicals in their food, water, and air. This ban shows that regular people can make a real difference. It is a change that truly comes from the ground up.
The problem is clear. Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows a concerning trend. On average, two-thirds of the energy American children consume comes from these chemically-laden, ultra-processed foods. They often contain too many unnecessary calories.
This new law does more than just ban bad foods. It’s the first to officially define what an “ultra-processed food” actually is. It also gives health experts and scientists the power to figure out which specific UPFs harm kids. They will then work to remove these items from school menus step by step. California’s step is a big one. It marks a fresh start in the fight for healthier kids and could set a new standard for schools everywhere.
Source: CNN