California Proposes Official “Non-Ultraprocessed” Food Certification Label

California Set to Pioneer Official Non-Ultra-Processed Food Certification

The measure cleared the State Senate in a 32-0 vote and passed the State Assembly 72-0. It now goes to Governor Gavin Newsom, who has until September 30 to sign or veto it.

Independent Audits and CDPH Oversight

If signed into law, food companies won’t be able to self-certify their products. Instead, brands must seek verification from accredited independent bodies overseen by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

The legislation mandates that the CDPH must accredit these authorized certifying organizations by June 1, 2029. Once approved, the standardized "Non-UPF Certified" seal can appear on the main display panel or information panel of retail food and beverage packaging, provided it doesn’t obscure mandatory nutrition facts.

Strict Recertification Rules and Public Registries

Certification is not permanent. Producers must recertify their products at least every three years, and any recipe changes require a fresh evaluation before the label can remain on the packaging. Furthermore, certifying bodies must report specific product details—including ingredients, nutritional values, and manufacturer names—to the CDPH, which will maintain a public registry of approved items on its website.

Store Shelves Face New Merchandising Mandates

The legislation extends beyond packaging to regulate how qualifying products appear inside brick-and-mortar retail stores.

Under the provisions of AB 2244, grocery stores with annual revenues exceeding $10 million that stock more than 25 certified items must clearly identify at least 3 of those certified products. Retailers can achieve this compliance through physical separation, dedicated signage, or distinct visual markers on store shelves to distinguish non-ultra-processed goods from conventional alternatives.

The bill also introduces strict legal guardrails. Unauthorized use of the seal on non-compliant products—or issuing certifications without official CDPH accreditation—will be classified as illegal, with state penalties for misuse.

Tackling Public Health Concerns and Heavy Additives

This legislative push follows earlier actions by the state regarding food processing. In 2025, Governor Newsom signed AB 1264, known as the Real Food, Healthy Kids Act, which introduced a legal definition for ultra-processed foods within school nutrition guidelines to restrict specific items in California classrooms.

According to Jesse Gabriel’s office, AB 2244 represents the next logical step by giving consumers a direct visual tool at checkout. Proponents point to growing scientific research associating high consumption of ultra-processed foods with chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and metabolic disorders.

"Questo nuovo sigillo fornirà ai consumatori informazioni chiare e affidabili e renderà più facile individuare alimenti più sani, privi di additivi nocivi." Gabriel noted in a statement, adding, "I genitori non dovrebbero aver bisogno di una laurea in chimica per capire cosa danno da mangiare ai propri figli."