Along with President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to serve as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services, the vocal buzz and concern surrounding food dyes and “ultra-processed foods” have increased.
In a September “Make America Healthy Again” campaign video, RFK Jr. posed in front of a table full of mass-market American ultra-processed snacks and cereals, alleging the risks of food dyes allowed in American but not European or Canadian food.
California, always a little ahead of the curve (or perhaps just a tad sensitive to the latest health trend), is at it again — this time cracking down on these latest food regulatory trends.
The state has already implemented a long list of nutritional rules, from banning sodas on K-12 campuses to proposing sugar limits on non-dairy milk. Now, Gov. Gavin Newsom is pushing for even more regulations, citing the need to protect residents from “harmful” food ingredients.
Just days ago, Newson issued an executive order directing state agencies to recommend potential actions to limit the supposed harms associated with “ultra-processed foods” and food ingredients that pose a health risk to individuals.
“The food we eat shouldn’t make us sick with disease or lead to lifelong consequences. California has been a leader for years in creating healthy and delicious school meals, and removing harmful ingredients and chemicals from food,” said Newsom. “We’re going to work with the industry, consumers, and experts to crack down on ultra-processed foods and create a healthier future for every Californian.”
The executive order directs state agencies to:
- Investigate the health impacts of synthetic food dyes and ultra-processed foods.
- Recommend ways to reduce soda, candy, and other harmful food purchases.
- Propose higher nutritional standards for school meals and universal food programs.
- Explore using Medi-Cal Managed Care plans to address “food deserts” and enhance access to fresh, healthy foods.
The governor’s wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, also emphasized the initiative’s importance, stating: “By connecting the dots between whole food, mental wellness, and strong cognition, we are creating an environment where every child has the opportunity to realize their full potential.”
A recent Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee report revealed trends that the governor cites in his order: 73 percent of U.S. adults are overweight or obese, and 38 percent of youth aged 12 to 19 are prediabetic. Research consistently links poor nutrition to increased risks of chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
»Related: Food Science Babe: A risk-based approach to Food Babe’s misinformation
