Law & Policy Resolved Updated Sep 29, 2026
California's non-UPF food seal
Where it stands, Sep 29, 2026 Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 2244, creating the first state-backed Non-Ultraprocessed Certified seal in the US.
California's legislature passed AB 2244 near-unanimously, creating a first-in-the-nation Non-Ultraprocessed Certified seal that food makers can voluntarily add to products meeting the state's new definition of ultra-processed, while the bill's criteria would disqualify many plant-based meats and dairy alternatives built on common additives. This storyline tracks whether Governor Newsom signs the bill, how its criteria affect plant-based products, and whether other states adopt similar certification.
What the brief said to watch
- Due Jun 1, 2029 The state must accredit third-party certifiers no later than June 1, 2029 [136].
- Answered Sep 29, 2026 Governor Newsom must sign or veto AB 2244 by September 30 [83]
The story so far
-
Sep 29, 2026 Latest
Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 2244, creating the first state-backed Non-Ultraprocessed Certified seal in the US. Foods with dyes, flavor enhancers, non-sugar sweeteners or processing aids cannot qualify, which likely leaves many plant-based meats and dairy alternatives outside it. Non-UPF Verified, which runs its own certification, had urged a veto because the law leaves processing methods out of the criteria, FoodNavigator reported.
-
Sep 2, 2026
California's Senate voted 32-0 and its Assembly 72-0 to pass AB 2244, creating a Non-Ultraprocessed Certified seal that bars foods with 10% or more of calories from added sugar or saturated fat, high sodium-to-calorie ratios, or additives like non-nutritive sweeteners and emulsifiers, criteria that would disqualify many plant-based meats and dairy alternatives built on those same additives. Governor Gavin Newsom has until September 30 to sign it.
This fight, in numbers
Every sourced figure the brief has published on this storyline, newest first.
- 72-0 and 32-0 Assembly and Senate votes passing AB 2244
- June 2028 when companies can first apply for the seal
- $10M in annual sales plus more than 25 certified products triggers the rule that a store must display at least three certified items
Get the next update to this storyline by email.
When this fight moves, the new beat lands on this timeline and in the morning brief the same day. Follow it free, and you will know before the feeds do.
Free, every morning. Unsubscribe in one click.