California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a pioneering law to phase out ultraprocessed foods in school meals over the next decade, making California the first state to enact such legislation.

The law mandates the state Department of Public Health to establish definitions of “ultraprocessed foods of concern” and “restricted school foods” by mid-2028 to guide implementation.

The big picture: Schools must begin phasing out these identified foods by July 2029, with a full ban on their sale during school breakfast and lunch by July 2035. Vendors will be prohibited from supplying these foods to schools starting in 2032. • Newsom emphasized California’s leadership in children’s health, stating, “California has never waited for Washington or anyone else to lead on kids’ health — we’ve been out front

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