Newsom Signed AB 2244 Creating Non-Ultra-processed Certified Seal

"Today’s legislation builds on prior work to address UPFs and other foods and ingredients linked to serious health harms, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, metabolic disorders, reproductive harm, and other chronic conditions. Last year, the Governor signed the Healthy Foods, Healthy Kids Act (AB 1264, Gabriel), making California the first state to officially define UPFs and setting a timeline for phasing them out of schools. The certification program and label created through today’s legislation reflect the same commonsense, market-based approach that made the USDA Organic label a success: give manufacturers a voluntary standard, and let consumers do the rest."

Bill Text - AB-2244 Non-Ultraprocessed Certified food standard.

Certificate is by way of two paths, organizations, Non-UPF Verified and WiseCode, of which Non-UPF vehemently opposed the bill based upon a compromised certification process allowed in the bill. The contention by Megan of Non-UPF Verified is

• Does the non-UPF certification examine the processing methods used for ingredients and finished products
• Does it instead focus on the lists of ingredients on labels
• A certification by "Non-UPF Verified" asks
  • How were the ingredients and finished product actually made
  • What is the ingredient integrity and formulation, and processing limits and methods

IG statement by non-UltraProcessed Verified "We’re reviewing California’s legislation closely. There is still much to learn about UPFs and we believe the strongest path forward will come from bringing together policymakers, researchers, brands and shoppers around a shared goal: greater food integrity and a food system designed to nourish life."

The bill was introduced by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, D-Encino, and received bipartisan support in the Assembly and Senate. . Governor Newsom signs legislation creating non-UPF label, other health bills advancing California’s nation-leading healthcare strategy | Governor of California
Very rarely in the decades of a Democratic super-majority legislative direction does a bill pass unanimously in both the California Senate and Assembly. The Senate voted 32-0 (eight members absent) after the Assembly vote 72-0 (seven members absent).  

State Assembly not present
Castillo - R #58, Flora - R #9, Hadwick - R #1, Macedo - R #33, McKinnor - D #61, Ta - R #70, Tangipa - R #8

State Senate not present
Caballero -D #14, Choi - R #37, Dahle - R #1 R SD1, Grove -R #12, Hurtado -D #16, Jones - R #40, Niello - R #6, Seyarto - R #32
 

Find, scan and request Non-UPF Verified products

Consumers can explore Non-UPF Verified products at nonultraprocessed.org/product-finder. The Non-UPF Verified app is available for iOS and Android users. Learn more at nonultraprocessed.org/non-upf-verified-app/.

Brands interested in pursuing verification can learn more at nonultraprocessed.org.

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