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California has created a certification seal for foods that meet the state’s standard for non-ultra-processed foods. The law sets state oversight, retailer display rules for some large grocery stores and a June 1, 2029 deadline for accrediting third-party certifiers.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law creating a certification seal for foods that meet the state’s non-ultra-processed food standard. The law sets up state oversight of product certification and requires some large grocery retailers to make certified products easier for shoppers to identify.
The measure was introduced by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, a Democrat from Encino, and received bipartisan support in both chambers of the Legislature, according to Food Safety News. The California Department of Public Health will approve and accredit third-party certifiers, which will assess whether products meet the state standard. Certified products must be reviewed again at least once every three years.
Under the law, foods containing substances or additives used to manipulate taste or quality will not qualify. The source lists dyes, flavor enhancers, non-sugar sweeteners and processing aids among the substances that can disqualify a product. Only products that meet the requirements may display the seal. Certifiers must register with the state, which may audit certification records and must maintain a public online list of certified products. Misuse of the seal is illegal and subject to enforcement.
The law also sets a store-display requirement. It applies to grocery stores with more than 25 individually certified non-UPF products and annual sales above $10 million. Those retailers must make certified products easy to identify, for example with signage or by placing them in a separate area. The California Department of Public Health must accredit third-party certifiers by June 1, 2029.
How Shoppers May Find Certified Foods
The seal is intended to give consumers a visible way to identify qualifying products without having to judge each item solely from its ingredient list. State approval of certifiers, recurring product reviews and public records provide a framework for checking which products qualify. The retailer rule could make the seal easier to spot in stores that meet the law’s sales and product thresholds.
The law’s reach will depend on how the state defines and applies its non-UPF standard, how many products complete certification, and how retailers implement the display requirement. The source reports that research has found ultra-processed foods make up more than two-thirds of children’s diets and more than half of adults’ diets. It also reports research linking diets high in these foods with health conditions including cancer, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, metabolic disorders and mental health issues. Those findings describe reported research; the new seal itself does not establish that a particular food will prevent or treat disease.
California’s Earlier UPF Rules
The certification law builds on a 2025 California law, also authored by Gabriel, that established a U.S. legal definition of ultra-processed food and barred such foods from public schools, according to the report. The new measure extends the state’s approach from school food rules to a voluntary product certification that companies can seek for eligible foods.
Gabriel described the seal as a way to give consumers clearer information, comparing its intended role to the USDA Organic label. That comparison reflects his stated aim; the new certification has its own eligibility rules and oversight structure. Several consumer groups praised the law. The Environmental Working Group said the label could help families identify foods it considers closer to kitchen-made products.
“Parents shouldn’t need a Ph.D. in chemistry to understand what they’re feeding their kids.”
— Jesse Gabriel, California Assemblymember and bill author
Certification Rules Still Ahead
The report does not give the full technical criteria used to determine whether a product meets California’s non-UPF standard. It also does not identify which products or companies are expected to seek certification, how much certification will cost, or when the first seals could appear in stores. The state’s accreditation deadline is set, but the report does not specify interim milestones for approving certifiers.
The number of retailers covered will depend on whether each store meets both statutory thresholds: more than 25 individually certified products and more than $10 million in annual sales. The source does not state how many stores currently meet those conditions. It also does not describe how state enforcement will work in specific cases of improper labeling.
State Accreditation by 2029
The California Department of Public Health must accredit third-party certifiers by June 1, 2029. After accreditation, certifiers can evaluate products under the state’s requirements. Companies whose products qualify may use the seal, subject to recertification at least every three years and state oversight of certification records.
As the program takes shape, the department’s published product list and accreditation decisions should clarify which foods qualify and how consumers can identify them. The timing of the first certifications and any additional implementation guidance were not specified in the report.
Key Questions
What does California’s new food seal mean?
It identifies products certified as meeting California’s non-ultra-processed food standard. Only products that satisfy the state requirements may display it.
Who will certify products?
Third-party certifiers will assess products. The California Department of Public Health will approve and accredit those certifiers, and products must be recertified at least every three years.
When must the state accredit certifiers?
The law directs the department to accredit third-party certifiers by June 1, 2029. The report does not give a date for the first product certifications.
Which grocery stores must display certified products?
The requirement applies to grocery stores with more than 25 individually certified products and more than $10 million in annual sales. Covered stores must make those products easy to identify, such as through signage or separate placement.
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