The Californer - California: Governor Newsom signs legislation to address concerns with processed food industry, increase youth access to healthy, local foods

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Sep 28, 2024

Governor Newsom signs legislation to address concerns with processed food industry, increase youth access to healthy, local foods

What you need to know: Governor Newsom signed a package of legislation today to increase participation in food assistance programs, protect kids from overly processed foods, reduce food waste, and improve access to healthy, locally grown foods in an effort to help address the chronic disease epidemic.

Sacramento, California — Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation today to increase enrollment in state food assistance programs, reduce youth consumption of processed foods, and increase access to healthy, locally grown food in all California communities. The bill package includes AB 2316 by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) which will prohibit California schools from serving and selling foods containing synthetic food dye additives that have been linked to health harms in children, including cancer, damage to the immune system, neurobehavioral issues, and hyperactivity.

He also signed AB 660 by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Encino) which will standardize quality and safety date labels on food products to create clarity and consistency and better inform consumers in order to significantly reduce food waste in the state.

"Our health is inextricably tied to the food we eat – but fresh, healthy foods aren't always available or affordable for families. Today, we are refusing to accept the status quo, and making it possible for everyone, including school kids, to access nutritious, delicious food without harmful, and often addictive additives. By giving every child a healthy start, we can set them on the path to a future with less risk of obesity and chronic illness."

Governor Gavin Newsom

Administration efforts to support healthy kids

Children eat the majority of their meals at school, and research shows that healthy school meals result in better attendance, higher academic achievement and improved health overall, including lowering the instance of chronic disease in the long term.

California standards already exceed federal rules for food safety in schools, ensuring children are consuming fewer amounts of added sugars, sodium, and more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Governor Newsom established first-in-the-nation state funding for universal school meals for all public school children in California and from that program, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom championed efforts to develop the innovative California Farm to School initiative. California Farm to School works in tandem with universal school meals to ensure California students have access to two free school meals that are locally-sourced, delicious, and nutritious.

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California also participates in the federal SUN Bucks food program which ensures that children in families with low incomes have adequate nutrition while school is out for the summer.

"Childhood nutrition is about health and equity. Through today's legislation, we are taking essential steps to ensure all California children have access to healthy, delicious meals free from dangerous additives. This builds on the promises made through California Farm to School, which has provided millions of students with access to fresh, nutritious, and locally-sourced school meals. This strategic approach addresses the immediate health needs of our kids while setting them up for a healthier future."

First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom

Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel: "California is once again leading the nation when it comes to protecting our kids from dangerous chemicals that can harm their bodies and interfere with their ability to learn. This bipartisan law will empower schools to better protect the health and wellbeing of students and sends a strong message to manufacturers to stop using these harmful additives. I am grateful to Governor Newsom and Superintendent Thurmond for their partnership, and I hope that the overwhelming bipartisan support for this new law will encourage the federal government to take a more proactive role in protecting Americans from dangerous chemicals in our food supply."

Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin: "Having to wonder whether our food is still good is an issue that we all have struggled with. Today's signing of AB 660 is a monumental step to keep money in the pockets of consumers while helping the environment and the planet. I am grateful for the Governor's signature of this first-in-the-nation bill to end the consumer confusion around expiration date labels that so many of us have experienced."

Other legislation signed today to support healthy communities

AB 518 by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) – CalFresh: data, increased participation.

AB 1830 by Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno) – Corn masa flour and wet corn masa products: folic acid fortification.

AB 2033 by Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-San Bernardino) – Public postsecondary education: electronic benefits transfer cards: basic needs services and resources.

AB 2786 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) – Certified mobile farmers' markets.

AB 3229 by Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-Milpitas) – California Fruit and Vegetable EBT Pilot Project: report.

SB 1448 by Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) – Farm to Community Food Hub Program: California Agricultural Land Equity Task Force.

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