Pupil nutrition: particularly harmful ultraprocessed food: prohibition.

Assembly Member Gabriel's comprehensive school nutrition legislation aims to phase out particularly harmful ultraprocessed foods from California schools through new definitions, regulations and reporting requirements. The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment must define "particularly harmful ultraprocessed food" by July 2026, considering factors like known health risks, scientific evidence of harm, and regulatory status in other jurisdictions.

Schools must begin phasing out these foods by January 2028, with vendors prohibited from offering them to schools by January 2032. Starting July 2035, schools cannot include particularly harmful ultraprocessed foods in federally reimbursable breakfast and lunch programs. The bill defines ultraprocessed foods as those containing specific FDA-regulated substances like surface-active agents, stabilizers, propellants, synthetic colors, emulsifiers and non-nutritive sweeteners.

From 2027 through 2032, vendors must annually report detailed information about food products sold to schools, including quantities, ingredients, nutrition facts and ultraprocessed status. The Office must submit yearly reports analyzing this data and recommending strategies to reduce ultraprocessed food consumption in schools. The reporting requirements exempt cottage food operations, microenterprise home kitchens and small businesses.

The legislation maintains existing nutritional standards for competitive foods and beverages while adding new restrictions on artificial colors starting December 2027. Local agencies may enact stricter limits on ultraprocessed foods. The bill includes provisions for technical assistance to help schools implement the changes and allows charter schools to partner with existing food authorities for compliance.