California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Sept. 28 that aims to increase enrollment in state food assistance programs, reduce youth consumption of processed foods and increase access to healthy, locally grown food in all California communities.
The bill package includes AB 2316 by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, D-Encino, which will prohibit California schools from serving and selling foods containing synthetic food dye additives that have been linked to health harms in children, including cancer, damage to the immune system, neurobehavioral issues and hyperactivity, according to a news release.
He also signed AB 660 by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, D-Encino, which will standardize quality and safety date labels on food products to create clarity and consistency and better inform consumers in order to significantly reduce food waste in the state.
“Our health is inextricably tied to the food we eat — but fresh, healthy foods aren’t always available or affordable for families,” Newsom said in the release. “Today, we are refusing to accept the status quo, and making it possible for everyone, including school kids, to access nutritious, delicious food without harmful, and often addictive additives. By giving every child a healthy start, we can set them on the path to a future with less risk of obesity and chronic illness.”
Efforts to support healthy kids
The release noted that children eat the majority of their meals at school, with research showing that healthy school meals result in better attendance, higher academic achievement and improved health overall, including lowering the instance of chronic disease in the long term.
California standards already exceed federal rules for food safety in schools, ensuring children are consuming fewer amounts of added sugars, and sodium and more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, the release said. Newsom established first-in-the-nation state funding for universal school meals for all public school children in California, and from that program, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom championed efforts to develop the innovative California Farm to School initiative. California Farm to School works in tandem with universal school meals to ensure California students have access to two free school meals that are locally sourced, delicious and nutritious, the release said.
California also participates in the federal SUN Bucks food program which ensures that children in families with low incomes have adequate nutrition while school is out for the summer.
“Childhood nutrition is about health and equity,” Siebel Newsom said in the release. "Through [this] legislation, we are taking essential steps to ensure all California children have access to healthy, delicious meals free from dangerous additives. This builds on the promises made through California Farm to School, which has provided millions of students with access to fresh, nutritious and locally-sourced school meals. This strategic approach addresses the immediate health needs of our kids while setting them up for a healthier future.”
Other legislation signed to support healthy communities:
- AB 518 by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland — CalFresh: data, increased participation.
- AB 1830 by Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula, D-Fresno) — Corn masa flour and wet corn masa products: folic acid fortification.
- AB 2033 by Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes, D-San Bernardino — Public postsecondary education: electronic benefits transfer cards: basic needs services and resources.
- AB 2786 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta, D-Oakland — Certified mobile farmers’ markets.
- AB 3229 by Assemblymember Alex Lee, D-Milpitas — California Fruit and Vegetable EBT Pilot Project: report.
- SB 1448 by Melissa Hurtado, D-Bakersfield — Farm to Community Food Hub Program: California Agricultural Land Equity Task Force.