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California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law creating a voluntary state label for products that meet California’s definition of non-ultraprocessed food. Large grocery stores carrying at least 25 certified products must prominently display them, while food industry representatives warn that differing definitions could confuse shoppers and complicate policy.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law creating a voluntary state label for foods that meet California’s definition of non-ultraprocessed, giving shoppers a state-backed way to identify qualifying products. Large grocery stores that carry at least 25 certified products must prominently display them, according to Food Dive’s Sept. 29 report.
The label may be used on products that do not meet the state’s definition of ultraprocessed foods, established in 2025. That definition covers products containing at least one additive or high amounts of saturated fat, sodium or added sugar. The report did not specify how the law defines “high amounts” for the label or describe the certification process.
The measure is voluntary for product makers: the law allows qualifying products to carry the seal. The store display requirement applies to large grocery stores when they carry at least 25 products with the state label. The report did not provide a definition of a large store or a date for when the display rule takes effect.
Lawmakers backing the seal describe it as a transparent, simple way to help consumers find healthier options. Food industry groups have raised concerns that state and private labels may use different criteria. California’s label centers on ingredients and nutritional composition, while some other seals also emphasize the degree of processing.
A Label With Wider Policy Reach
The law gives California shoppers a state-defined signal on qualifying packaged foods and creates a display obligation for covered grocery stores once they meet the product threshold. Its practical effect will depend on how many products earn the label, how stores present them and whether shoppers understand what the criteria do and do not indicate.
The definition may also matter beyond retail shelves. The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) says definitions of ultraprocessed food could shape school meals, nutrition assistance, reformulation, front-of-package labels and dietary guidance. Those are potential implications identified by IFT; the report does not say that this California law itself changes each of those programs.
California’s approach also reflects a policy distinction: it uses a combination of additive and nutrient criteria, rather than relying only on processing level. Food scientists and industry experts have said that a processing-only approach could penalize foods such as whole-grain bread or yogurt that contribute nutrients. How California’s criteria affect the products consumers see labeled remains to be seen.
California’s Definition And Other Seals
California became the first state to define ultraprocessed foods in September 2025, according to Food Dive. The new label builds on that definition by identifying products that fall outside it. The report does not give the law’s bill number or describe changes made during its passage.
California’s seal joins private non-ultraprocessed labels already available to manufacturers. Food Dive names the Non-UPF Verified Standard from the Non-GMO Project and the Non-UPF Certified seal from the nonprofit Non-UPF Program. These are separate programs; the report does not establish that they use criteria equivalent to California’s.
The disagreement over definitions is part of the policy backdrop. IFT, which represents the food science industry, has called for a consistent, science-based framework as more states consider ultraprocessed-food policies. Different standards could leave manufacturers and consumers facing varying interpretations of which foods qualify.
“We should be about healthcare, not sick-care, recognizing that preventing illnesses is far preferable to finding — and affording — treatments.”
— California Gov. Gavin Newsom, in a statement
How The Label Will Work
The report does not specify when the label or store display rule takes effect, which agency will administer certification, how products will be assessed, or what penalties may apply for noncompliance. It also does not explain how stores should count certified products toward the 25-item threshold.
The consumer impact is unknown. The law’s label is voluntary for qualifying products, and the report provides no estimate of how many manufacturers will participate or how many products could qualify. It is also unclear how shoppers will distinguish the state seal from private non-UPF labels with other criteria.
IFT’s concern that different definitions may confuse consumers and manufacturers is an industry position, not a measured outcome of the new law. The report cites no research on how California shoppers will interpret this particular seal.
Certification And Store Displays
Implementation will depend on the state’s certification process and the rules governing grocery store displays. The report identifies no agency, rollout schedule or upcoming implementation date, so those details remain pending in the available account.
Manufacturers may decide whether to seek the California label for products that meet the state criteria. Grocery stores covered by the law will need to prominently display labeled items if they carry at least 25 certified products. As other states and private organizations develop their own standards, California’s criteria may also become part of a wider debate over how ultraprocessed foods should be defined.
Key Questions
What does California’s new label identify?
It is a voluntary state label for products that do not fall under California’s 2025 definition of ultraprocessed foods. That definition includes products with at least one additive or high amounts of saturated fat, sodium or added sugar.
Which stores must display labeled products?
Under the report, large grocery stores must prominently display labeled items when they carry at least 25 certified products. The report does not specify how “large grocery store” is defined.
Is the label mandatory for qualifying products?
No. The label is voluntary for products that meet the state criteria. The store display requirement applies when a covered store carries at least 25 certified products.
How does California’s label differ from other non-UPF seals?
Food Dive reports that California’s approach centers on nutritional and ingredient composition. Other non-ultraprocessed labels may also focus on degree of processing, and their standards are not described as equivalent to California’s.
When will the label appear in stores?
The report does not give an implementation date or explain the certification timeline. It also does not identify the agency that will oversee the process.
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