On Friday, January 3, Governor Newsom
issued an executive order directing state agencies to develop
potential recommendations to limit the harms associated with
“ultra-processed foods” and food ingredients that pose health
risks. Specifically, the executive order directs:
By April 1, 2025, the California Department of Public Health
(CDPH) to provide recommendations to the Governor’s Office
regarding potential action to limit the harms associated with
“ultra-processed foods” and food ingredients that pose health
risks.
By April 1, 2025, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard
Assessment (OEHHA), in consultation with CDPH, shall continue
investigating the health impacts of food dyes and provide a
briefing to the Governor’s Office.
By April 1, 2025, CDPH, in consultation with OEHHA, shall
report to the Governor’s Office on the feasibility of a
state-level evaluation of food additives.
By April 1, 2025, the California Department of Social
Services (CDSS) to provide recommendations to the Governor’s
Office by April 1, 2025, regarding actions the State can take to
reduce the purchase of soda, candy, ultra-processed foods, and
foods with synthetic food dyes.
By April 1, 2025, the Department of Health Care Services
(DHCS) shall report to the Governor’s Office on the feasibility
of encouraging or requiring Medi-Cal managed care plans and
California hospitals to enhance access to fresh and healthy
foods, mitigate the impacts of food deserts, and promote public
health at the local level.
By October 1, 2025, the Executive Director of the State Board
of Education and the California Department of Education shall
identify areas where the State may adopt higher standards for
healthy school meals than the federal standards and provide
recommendations to the Governor’s Office.
By October 1, 2025, the California Department of Food and
Agriculture (CDFA) and its Farm to Fork Office Program shall
explore developing new standards and partnerships to further
ensure universal school food programs have fresh and California
grown ingredients, support farm-to-school programs, and close
existing gaps in areas that have limited access to healthy, fresh
food.
Last week’s executive order follows the recent release of the new
2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Report to the
federal Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Agriculture
that found almost three-quarters of adults in the United States
over the age of 20 are overweight or obese, and nearly 40% of
children and youth between 12 and 19 years old are prediabetic.
