California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) ramped up efforts Friday to crack down on "ultra-processed” foods, signing an executive order aimed at investigating health risks linked to synthetic food dyes and other ingredients.
The order directs state agencies to recommend potential actions that could help limit the harm associated with these products. Some such actions include researching adverse health effects and suggesting initiatives to reduce the purchase of soda, candy and other so-called ultra-processed products that contain synthetic food dyes or other additives.
“The food we eat shouldn’t make us sick with disease or lead to lifelong consequences," Newsom said in a statement, describing his state as a leader in offering healthy school lunches and removing harmful ingredients from foods.
"We’re going to work with the industry, consumers and experts to crack down on ultra-processed foods, and create a healthier future for every Californian," the governor added.
Newsom's decision to issue the executive order comes just weeks before President-elect Trump takes office, with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
Kennedy, an environmental attorney who has long criticized processed foods, outlined a series of promises under a "Make American Healthy Again" (MAHA) platform under Trump. Although Kennedy has yet to be confirmed by the Senate, among MAHA's highest listed priorities is "the elimination of harmful chemicals and toxins from America's food, water and air."
"MAHA advocates for comprehensive testing and monitoring of environmental toxins to ensure that all Americans have access to clean, safe, and healthy living conditions," the platform states.
Ultra-processed foods, as defined by Newsom's executive order, are those that include "industrial formulations of chemically modified substances extracted from foods, along with additives to enhance taste, texture, appearance and durability." They contain minimal whole foods and often fall in the packaged snacks, cookies, candy, sugary beverage and processed meat categories.
The executive order also notes that such products have been linked to increased health risks, such as some cardiovascular conditions, certain cancers and diabetes.
Friday’s order issuance is California’s latest move in a series of recent campaigns and legislative actions connected to minimizing the presence of possibly harmful additives in foods.
Among the pieces of relevant legislation signed in 2024 are forthcoming prohibitions on school-served foods that contain synthetic dyes, new standardizations of food quality and safety labels, and improvements in the CalFresh program — an initiative that increases access to nutritious foods for low-income Californians.
Another key 2024 bill centered on forbidding the sale, manufacture or distribution of foods that contain propylparaben, brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, titanium dioxide or red dye No. 3, a common ingredient in many snacks marketed to children. That ban will take effect in 2027.
California first partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, who has led efforts to connect California's farms to its universal school meals program, described Friday's executive order as "a decisive and transformative commitment to further California’s work to prioritize health and nutrition as fundamental building blocks for thriving communities."
"By connecting the dots between whole food, mental wellness, and strong cognition, we are creating an environment where every child has the opportunity to realize their full potential," she said in a statement. "This is a powerful move towards health, equity, and a California for ALL Kids.”