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California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law establishing a voluntary state label for products that meet California’s definition of non-ultraprocessed food. The law also requires large grocery stores carrying at least 25 certified products to display them prominently; food industry groups say differing definitions could confuse shoppers and manufacturers.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law creating a voluntary state label for products that meet California’s definition of non-ultraprocessed food, giving shoppers a new way to identify qualifying items. Large grocery stores that carry at least 25 products with the state certification must display those items prominently, while food industry groups warn that competing definitions could make labels harder to interpret.
The label may be used on products that do not fall under the state’s definition of ultraprocessed foods, which California established in 2025. The source report says that definition covers products containing at least one additive, as well as products with high amounts of saturated fat, sodium or added sugar. It does not provide the detailed thresholds for those nutrient levels or explain how the state will certify products.
The store display rule applies to large grocery stores that carry at least 25 certified products. The report does not specify the required display format or describe penalties for stores that fail to comply. The label itself is voluntary for manufacturers, according to the report; the obligation described is the retailer display requirement once a store carries enough certified items.
California’s approach centers on a product’s ingredients and nutritional composition, while other non-ultraprocessed seals also consider the degree of processing. Existing programs cited in the report include the Non-GMO Project’s Non-UPF Verified Standard and the nonprofit Non-UPF Program’s Non-UPF Certified seal. The report does not say whether those programs’ criteria align with California’s rules.
A New Signal on Grocery Shelves
The law creates a state-backed label that could influence how consumers compare packaged foods and how companies choose to formulate or market products. Its reach may extend beyond individual shopping decisions: the Institute of Food Technologists says definitions of ultraprocessed foods could affect school meals, nutrition assistance, product reformulation, front-of-package labeling and future dietary guidance.
For shoppers, the seal may offer a quick signal, but its meaning depends on the state’s criteria and how those criteria differ from other labels. The law does not establish that every product without the seal is unhealthy, nor does the source report show that consumers will interpret the mark consistently. The practical effect will depend on certification details, retailer displays and whether other jurisdictions adopt different standards.
California’s 2025 Food Definition
California defined ultraprocessed foods in 2025, before enacting this voluntary label. The state’s definition, as summarized by Food Dive, includes a product with at least one additive or high amounts of certain nutrients. The new law turns that earlier definition into the basis for a consumer-facing seal.
The label joins other non-ultraprocessed certifications already available to manufacturers. Their presence matters because the term does not have a single shared definition in the material provided. California’s focus on ingredients and nutrition also differs from approaches that emphasize processing level. Food scientists and industry experts cited by Food Dive have cautioned that a processing-only approach could classify foods such as whole-grain bread or yogurt as undesirable even when they can help people meet nutrient needs.
“We should be about healthcare, not sick-care, recognizing that preventing illnesses is far preferable to finding — and affording — treatments.”
— Gov. Gavin Newsom, in a statement
Certification Rules Still Unspecified
The source report does not provide the full statutory text, the specific nutrient thresholds, the certification process or the timetable for putting the label into use. It also does not explain what counts as a “large” grocery store, what prominent display requires, or how the state will enforce that requirement.
It remains unclear how California’s seal will relate to other certification programs and whether companies or retailers will adopt it widely. Food industry concerns about confusion are attributed to the Institute of Food Technologists; the report does not provide consumer research measuring whether shoppers are likely to misunderstand the label.
Certification and Store Displays
The next practical steps are for California to clarify how products qualify, how certification will be administered and when the grocery display rule takes effect. Retailers and manufacturers will then need to determine which products meet the state’s criteria and how to present certified items to shoppers.
Food Dive’s report does not identify a further announcement date or describe a state implementation schedule. Wider effects on food labeling and policy will depend on how California applies its definition and whether other states develop their own standards.
Key Questions
What does California’s new label identify?
It identifies products that meet California’s definition of non-ultraprocessed food. The label is voluntary for products, according to the source report.
Which grocery stores must display certified products?
Large grocery stores that carry at least 25 certified products must display those items prominently. The report does not specify what counts as a large store or define the display format.
How does California define ultraprocessed food?
The report says the 2025 state definition covers products containing at least one additive or high amounts of saturated fat, sodium or added sugar. It does not provide the exact nutrient thresholds.
Why are food industry groups concerned?
The Institute of Food Technologists says different state definitions could lead manufacturers and consumers to face different interpretations of what counts as ultraprocessed food. The source report does not include consumer research on the likely effects.
Source: rss
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