Pupil nutrition: particularly harmful ultraprocessed food: prohibition.

Assembly Member Gabriel's comprehensive school nutrition legislation establishes new standards for ultraprocessed foods in California schools, introducing a phased approach to eliminate particularly harmful products from student meals and competitive foods by 2035. The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment must define "particularly harmful ultraprocessed foods" by July 2026, considering factors like documented health risks, hyperpalatability potential, and high levels of fat, sugar, or salt.

Beginning January 2028, schools must start phasing out foods classified as particularly harmful ultraprocessed products. By January 2032, vendors will be prohibited from offering these items to schools. The bill also bans specific artificial food colorings in school foods starting December 2027, including Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6.

From 2027 through 2032, vendors must submit annual reports detailing the quantity and types of food products sold to schools, including whether items qualify as ultraprocessed or particularly harmful ultraprocessed foods. The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment will analyze this data and provide yearly reports to the Legislature and Governor with recommendations for reducing ultraprocessed food consumption in schools.

The legislation maintains existing nutritional standards for competitive foods and beverages while adding new restrictions on artificial additives and ultraprocessed ingredients. Schools retain the ability to permit non-compliant food sales during fundraising events that occur off-campus or after school hours. Local agencies may voluntarily adopt more stringent limitations on ultraprocessed foods beyond the state requirements.