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California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law authorizing a “non-ultra-processed certified” seal for foods that meet the state’s standard. The law sets up third-party certification under state oversight and requires qualifying large retailers to make certified products easier to identify.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law creating a “non-ultra-processed certified” seal for food products that meet the state’s standard, giving consumers a new way to identify qualifying products. The law establishes state oversight of third-party certification and requires some large grocery retailers to make certified items easier to spot.
The measure was introduced by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, a Democrat from Encino, and passed with bipartisan support in the Assembly and Senate, according to Food Safety News. The California Department of Public Health will approve and accredit third-party certifiers. Certifiers must register with the state, which may audit their records, and products must be recertified at least once every three years.
Under the law, products may display the seal only if they meet California’s non-UPF standard. Foods containing certain substances or additives—including dyes, flavor enhancers, non-sugar sweeteners or processing aids used to manipulate taste or quality—will not qualify. The state must maintain a public online list of certified products, and misuse of the seal will be illegal and subject to enforcement.
Retail display rules apply to grocery stores with more than $10 million in annual sales that sell more than 25 individually certified non-UPF products. Those stores must make certified foods easy to identify, such as with special signage or physical separation. The department is directed to accredit third-party certifiers by June 1, 2029.
How Shoppers Will Find Certified Foods
The seal is intended to turn a state definition into a visible point-of-sale label. For shoppers, the online product list and retailer display requirement could make it simpler to locate foods meeting the state’s standard without evaluating each ingredient individually. The law also creates a formal oversight structure: state-approved certifiers assess products, records can be audited, and certification must be renewed.
The public health rationale is the prevalence of ultra-processed foods in diets. The source report says research has found they account for more than two-thirds of children’s diets and more than half of adults’ diets. It also reports that scientific research has linked diets high in these foods with health harms, including cancer, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, metabolic disorders and mental health issues. Those reported associations provide context for the policy; the seal itself does not establish that any particular product prevents disease or guarantees a health benefit.
California’s Earlier UPF Rules
The new certification law builds on a 2025 California law, also authored by Gabriel, which established what the source describes as the first U.S. legal definition of ultra-processed food and banned such food from public schools. Gabriel also cited California’s earlier restrictions on certain food additives, saying the state had begun the effort three years before this law.
The new measure adds a voluntary product seal and retail visibility requirements to that policy framework. The source report does not provide the full statutory definition or a complete list of ingredients that disqualify a product. The precise certification criteria will therefore depend on the state’s standard and its implementation.
““Like the USDA Organic label, this new seal will provide consumers with clear, trustworthy information and make it easier for them to locate healthier foods that are free from harmful additives.””
— Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel
Certification Rules Still Pending
The law sets a June 1, 2029 deadline for the Department of Public Health to accredit third-party certifiers, but the source report does not say when the seal will first appear on products or when retailer displays will begin. It also does not specify the full certification standard, how the department will assess applications, or how the state will enforce the ban on misuse.
It remains unclear how many products companies will seek to certify and how widely stores will use signage or dedicated displays. The source gives no baseline or time window for measuring the seal’s effect on shopping or dietary patterns.
State Accreditation by 2029
The next specified milestone is for the California Department of Public Health to accredit third-party certifiers by June 1, 2029. The state will also need to maintain the public product list and oversee certification records and label enforcement. Companies will need to obtain certification before displaying the seal, with renewal at least every three years.
As implementation proceeds, the department’s published criteria and accredited certifiers will clarify which foods qualify and how shoppers can verify a product’s status. Retailers covered by the law will then need to make qualifying products easy to identify in stores.
Key Questions
What does the new California seal mean?
It indicates that a product has been certified as meeting California’s non-ultra-processed food standard. Only qualifying products may display the seal.
Who will certify products?
Third-party certifiers will assess products after approval and accreditation by the California Department of Public Health. The state may audit certification records.
When will the seal appear in stores?
The source report does not give a launch date. The law directs the department to accredit certifiers by June 1, 2029; product certification and retail displays depend on implementation.
Which stores must identify certified foods?
The requirement covers grocery stores with annual sales above $10 million that sell more than 25 individually certified non-UPF products. They may use signage or physical separation to make the products easy to find.
How often must products be recertified?
Products must be recertified at least every three years, according to the source report.
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