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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 must prominently display qualifying products when they carry at least 25 with the label. The definition differs from some other seals, and industry groups say inconsistent standards could confuse shoppers and affect food policy.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law creating a voluntary statewide label for foods that meet the state’s definition of non-ultraprocessed, giving shoppers a new way to identify qualifying products. Large grocery stores must prominently display labeled items if they carry at least 25 certified products, while food industry groups warn that differing definitions and seals could make the label landscape harder to understand.
The seal may be used on products that do not fall under California’s definition of ultraprocessed foods, which the state established in 2025. The definition includes products containing at least one additive, as well as products with high amounts of saturated fat, sodium or added sugar. The law makes use of the label voluntary for qualifying products.
The grocery display rule applies to large stores carrying at least 25 certified products. Those stores must prominently display items bearing the state label. The report does not specify which displays will qualify as prominent or provide further detail on how stores will verify that products meet the threshold.
Lawmakers backing the seal describe it as a simple, transparent way to help consumers identify healthier options. That is their stated purpose; the label itself identifies products against the state’s definition and does not establish that every labeled food is healthier in every respect.
A New Signal in Grocery Aisles
The law puts a state-defined food category directly in front of shoppers and creates a display obligation for large grocery stores that meet the product threshold. That could make California’s criteria more visible at the point of purchase, while also giving manufacturers an incentive to seek the seal for eligible products. The law’s practical reach will depend in part on how many products qualify and how many stores meet the threshold.
The label also adds to a market where several organizations already offer non-ultraprocessed seals. Since those programs use different approaches, a shopper may see labels that appear to make similar claims but do not apply the same criteria. California’s approach focuses on ingredients and nutritional composition, while some other labels focus at least partly on the degree of processing.
The classification could matter beyond retail marketing. The Institute of Food Technologists says definitions may influence school meals, nutrition assistance, reformulation, front-of-package labels and future dietary guidance. Those are potential effects identified by the organization; the new law does not itself change all of those programs.
California’s Definition and Other Seals
California became the first state to define ultraprocessed foods in September 2025, according to the report. Its definition covers products with at least one additive or high amounts of certain nutrients. The new law uses that earlier state definition to establish which products may carry the non-ultraprocessed label.
Other seals cited in the report include the Non-UPF Verified Standard from the Non-GMO Project and the Non-UPF Certified seal from the nonprofit Non-UPF Program. Their existence reflects growing interest in labels that let manufacturers market products as non-ultraprocessed, but the source does not provide a full comparison of their requirements.
Food scientists and industry experts have cautioned that a focus solely on processing could classify some useful foods, including whole-grain bread or yogurt, unfavorably. California’s criteria instead center on ingredients and nutrition. Newsom said the state’s broader aim is to make whole, healthy foods more accessible and healthier choices easier.
““We should be about healthcare, not sick-care, recognizing that preventing illnesses is far preferable to finding — and affording — treatments.””
— California Gov. Gavin Newsom
How Shoppers Will Read the Seal
The report does not say when the label will first appear on products, how many products are already certified, or how the state will administer certification and monitor compliance. It also does not spell out which stores count as large grocery stores or how the 25-product threshold will be measured. Those details will shape how quickly shoppers encounter the seal.
It remains unclear whether other states will adopt their own definitions or whether a common framework will emerge. The source also does not establish that consumers will find the label confusing; that concern has been raised by food industry groups as competing seals and definitions develop. The law’s effect on purchasing, product reformulation or public nutrition programs has not yet been reported.
Certification and Store Displays
The next visible steps are product certification and implementation of the grocery display requirement. As eligible products enter the market, stores carrying at least 25 certified items will have to prominently display them under the law. The report gives no rollout timetable, so the start date for product labeling and required displays remains unclear.
Food industry groups are calling for consistent, science-based definitions as states consider ultraprocessed food policies. Whether California’s standards become a model, or remain one of several competing approaches, will depend on future policy decisions and how certification programs develop. For now, the confirmed change is a voluntary California seal tied to the state’s existing definition, accompanied by a conditional display requirement for large grocery stores.
Key Questions
What did California’s new law create?
It created a voluntary statewide label for products that meet California’s definition of non-ultraprocessed food.
Which products can carry the California label?
Products that do not fall under the state’s definition of ultraprocessed foods may use the label. That definition includes products with at least one additive or high amounts of saturated fat, sodium or added sugar.
Which grocery stores must display labeled products?
Large grocery stores must prominently display items with the state label when they carry at least 25 certified products. The report does not give further detail on how stores will determine prominence or count qualifying products.
Why are food industry groups concerned?
They say differing definitions and seals could create confusion for consumers and manufacturers. The Institute of Food Technologists has called for a consistent, science-based framework as more states consider policies.
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