- A bipartisan group of California lawmakers introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 1264 on March 19, aiming to phase out ultra-processed foods (UPFs) like pizza, chips and sugary drinks from public school meals by 2032. The bill, led by Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel (D-District 46), addresses concerns about the impact of these foods on children’s physical and mental health.
- These foods packed with chemical additives and high-fructose corn syrup are linked to obesity, diabetes, heart disease and mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Research shows they are engineered to be addictive, particularly harmful to children’s developing brains.
- The bill directs California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, in collaboration with University of California experts, to identify harmful ultra-processed foods containing banned or restricted additives. These foods would be phased out starting in 2028, with a complete ban by 2032.
- The bill has bipartisan backing, with Republican Leader James Gallagher (R-District 3) and Progressive Caucus Chair Alex Lee (D-District 24) as co-authors. California already provides free breakfast and lunch to K-12 students, but the quality of meals varies, with some schools still serving unhealthy options like Domino's pizza.
- Critics argue the bill could limit food choices and exacerbate health disparities, while proponents emphasize the urgent need to address childhood obesity and addiction to unhealthy foods. The bill aims to set a new standard for school nutrition, prioritizing fresh, minimally processed ingredients and potentially inspiring nationwide change.
California is once again at the forefront of a national conversation, this time targeting the food served in public schools.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 1264 on March 19, aiming to phase out ultra-processed foods (UPFs) such as pizza, chips and sugary drinks from school meals by 2032. The bill, spearheaded by Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel (D-District 46), seeks to address the growing concerns about the impact of these foods on children’s physical and mental health.
UPFs are not your average snacks or meals; they are engineered products packed with chemical additives, high-fructose corn syrup and other ingredients rarely found in home kitchens. These foods are designed to be addictive, making it difficult for children (and adults) to stop eating them, even when they know they’re unhealthy. Research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has linked these foods to a host of health problems including obesity, diabetes, heart disease and even mental health issues like anxiety and depression. (Related: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. directs FDA to tighten food ingredient safety rules.)
The proposed legislation would direct California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, in collaboration with experts from the University of California, to identify the most harmful ultra-processed foods. These are the products that contain additives banned or restricted in other countries, or those linked to serious health risks like cancer, developmental harm, or food addiction. Once identified, these foods would be phased out of school meals starting in 2028, with a complete ban by 2032.
AB 1264 sets new standard for school nutrition
What makes this bill unique is its bipartisan support. Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher (R-District 3) and Progressive Caucus Chair Alex Lee (D-District 24) are among the co-authors, proving that when it comes to children’s health, party lines can be crossed. Gallagher emphasized the urgency of the issue, pointing to the obesity epidemic among children and the need for schools to provide healthier options.
The push for healthier school meals is not new in California. The state already guarantees free breakfast and lunch for all K-12 public school students, serving about one billion meals annually.
However, the quality of those meals has come under scrutiny. While some schools have made strides—like the Morgan Hill Unified School District, which reduced sugar intake by 34 pounds per student last year—others still serve items like Domino’s pizza, much to the dismay of health-conscious parents.
Critics of the bill, including the Consumer Brands Association, argue that restricting ultra-processed foods could limit choice and exacerbate health disparities. However, proponents of the bill counter that the health risks far outweigh these concerns.
Dr. Ashley Gearhardt, a psychology professor at the University of Michigan, has studied the addictive nature of UPFs. She explains that these products hijack the brain's reward system, making it difficult for people to stop eating them. This is especially concerning for children, whose developing brains are more susceptible to addiction.
The stakes are high. Without intervention, experts predict that nearly three out of five children in the U.S. will be obese by the time they reach 35. Gabriel, who has already championed two landmark food safety laws in California, believes this bill is a critical step toward protecting children's health.
Watch this clip from Fox News about Robert F. Kennedy Jr. assuming the role of health secretary and chairman of the Make America Healthy Again Commission.
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