The law, which Gov. Gavin Newsom signed on Wednesday, sets a 10-year deadline for the change to take place.
A new law will make California the first state to phase some ultraprocessed food out of school meals.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Wednesday that prohibits public schools from serving children what it describes as “ultraprocessed foods of concern” in breakfasts or lunches. The policy sets a 10-year deadline for the change to take place.
It defines such foods as those that pose the greatest risks to consumers based on scientific evidence of adverse health outcomes, and it directs the state Public Health Department to determine which particular products meet the definition by June 2028.
The first three years are just for the department of health to research the problem and develop standards based on available and newly funded research. The next seven years would likely see schools phasing out problematic foods one by one as they find appropriate alternatives and end contracts.
Keep in mind that processed foods tend to be cheaper, too, so trying to maintain the same cost while replacing the processed foods will take time and effort.
The costs will rise, as you say it takes more effort to phase out industrial food.
Here we have fresh and healthy local food for kids, made by a school cook but it is very expensive, fortunately a part of the cost is supported by the city depending on family income.