In order to reduce obesity and diabetes, a bipartisan group in the California State Assembly introduced the AB1264 bill on March 19th, aimed at gradually phasing out “particularly harmful” ultra-processed foods in school meals by 2032.
Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel from Encino, Los Angeles, stated in a press release on March 19th, “Public schools should not provide students with ultra-processed foods full of chemical additives that may harm their physical and mental health, impairing their ability to learn. The new bill will ensure that schools provide students with the healthy and nutritious meals they need and deserve.” AB1264 was co-authored by several state legislators, including Republican Assembly Leader James Gallagher and Democratic Progressive Caucus Chair Alex Lee.
According to research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), ultra-processed foods such as frozen pizzas, French fries, breakfast cereals, ready-to-eat foods, and sugary drinks may be directly linked to weight gain in children and adults. The NIH indicates that these foods contain ingredients uncommon in home cooking, such as high-fructose corn syrup, flavorings, and emulsifiers.
Scott Faber, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at NIH, explained that processed foods can be part of a healthy diet, but Americans consume too many ultra-processed foods, leading to increased rates of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. In a statement to Epoch Times, Faber noted that by identifying and gradually phasing out the most harmful ultra-processed foods in California school meals, AB1264 will send the right signal to meal providers.
The new bill will define “ultra-processed foods” and direct the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment to collaborate with experts from the University of California to list “particularly harmful” ultra-processed foods. These foods must be phased out from school meals by 2032. California scientists will be responsible for determining if a product is “particularly harmful,” depending on whether it contains additives prohibited, restricted, or with warnings in other jurisdictions.
Researchers will also investigate whether a food or ingredient is associated with cancer, heart disease, metabolic disorders, developmental impairments, reproductive harm, obesity, type 2 diabetes, or other health issues, and consider if the food is addictive or contains excessive fats, sugars, or salts.
Psychology professor Ashley Gearhardt from the University of Michigan stated that ultra-processed foods are addictive, making it difficult for individuals to stop consuming them. She mentioned in a statement on the 19th that ultra-processed foods are not only unhealthy but designed for overconsumption, “like addictive substances, they hijack the brain’s reward system, making it difficult for people to reduce intake, even when facing serious health consequences.”
A study published in the British Medical Journal in February 2024 indicated that the more ultra-processed foods consumed, the higher the risk of heart disease, common mental disorders, and death. Researchers found that approximately 58% of Americans’ daily caloric intake comes from ultra-processed foods.
According to the California Department of Education, California was the first state in the United States to implement a statewide school meal program for the 2022-2023 school year, ensuring that all K-12 public school students receive free breakfast and lunch. Gabriel mentioned that these schools provide about 1 billion meals annually. ◇