New California Bill Aims to Make Healthier Food Choices Easier with “California Certified” Seal

May 7, 2026

At FoodFight USA, one of our main pillars is to empower  Americans to make healthier food choices  and give them the tools to avoid toxic, ultra-processed foods. That’s why we are so excited that long-time FFUSA friend, Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel of California, has introduced a new bill (AB2244) that would make it easier for Californians to eat well. AB 2244 would establish a first-in-the-nation “California Certified” seal for non-ultra-processed foods, meaning foods that you can trust to be free from excessive unregulated additives. While ultra-processed foods are known for their high levels of salt, sugar, fat, and toxic ingredients, non-UPF are those packaged foods that avoid such pitfalls. “California Certified” products, or non-UPF, are not just healthier alternatives, but are often just as delicious and convenient as their UPF counterparts. 

Since our inception, FoodFight USA has been working with lawmakers, retailers, and advocacy partners to make shopping easier for consumers. While we also support the adoption of front-of-pack warning labels that draw attention to harmful UPF products, we have been working to find ways to give better-for-you, healthier products the spotlight they deserve. A “California Certified” seal would do just that. 

As our Founder, Todd Wagner said, “We have a long road ahead to a food supply free from harmful chemicals and a healthier America. In the meantime, we must give consumers the tools and knowledge to make healthier food choices. By creating a ‘California Certified’ seal to help identify healthier, non-UPF options, Assemblymember Gabriel continues to advance California’s leadership in the fight to reduce consumption of the hyperpalatable, addictive ultra-processed foods driving our nation’s chronic disease crisis.”

California has been leading the way in reducing consumption of toxic ingredients and ultra-processed foods. This seal represents the flip side of that effort by rewarding healthier formulations and product innovations. Manufacturers whose products qualify could put this seal on the front of their packaging, similar to USDA organic labeling, to signify to consumers a better, less harmful product. Usage of the seal would also qualify those products for more prominent display in California grocery stores, increasing their marketability. 

 

Similar to other seals, such as USDA Organic, the “California Certified” seal for non-ultra-processed foods could be displayed prominently on the front of the packaging to indicate this is a healthier choice. 

 

For a long time, consumers viewed healthier non-ultra-processed foods as exclusively high-priced items that weren’t always available for low-income families or people living in food deserts. The “California Certified” seal is an easy way for people of all income levels to identify and choose better food options. Consumption of ultra-processed food is highest among low-income Americans and is connected to many chronic diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain types of cancers. This seal can help those Americans most at risk from the harms of UPF by being better informed about their purchases. 

 

AB 2244 and other legislation in California represent hard-won progress towards our mission of cleaning up America’s food supply. 

 

If you live in the state of California, reach out to your state representative and tell them to vote “yes” on AB 2244.