On Oct. 8, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Healthy Kids, Real Food Act. This act will legally define what ultra-processed foods are and exclude them from schools in the state of California. Ultra-processed foods can take a toll on a student’s health, affecting not only their physical but also their mental health and academic performance. This act will be the first act that will ensure that students all over are getting the healthy, nutrient-filled foods they need instead of harmful chemical additives.
This is a gradual process with multiple phases. Phase one will begin in 2027, with the ban and removal of certain synthetic dyes linked to neurobehavioral issues. Phase two will happen in 2028, when vendors in California must submit annual reports on the ultra-processed food ingredients they use to the state. Starting in 2029, phase three will begin, banning ultra-processed foods. Schools will have until July 2035 to be ultra-processed food-free, or they will lose government funding for meals.
As for the effects on our school, a larger percentage of our lunch food is expected to be locally sourced. The requirements for the food served will be much stricter, which may result in portion-size or menu adjustments. The thing is, this law not only affects the cafeteria but also snacks sold at school. That means our chips and fruit snacks filling our vending machines may be replaced with healthier alternatives.
The average American kid’s diet is 61% ultra processed food, according to the CDC. As a result, one in five American children is obese due to the high amount of calories, but the low amount of nutritional value that ultra-processed foods have. The high amount of refined sugars and fats leads to neurologic inflammation and depression. The spikes in glucose throw off blood sugar and cause irritability, mood instability, and fatigue. These issues lead to difficulty in academic and social life.
The signing of this act in California is sparking other states to follow in our footsteps. In seventeen other states, similar legislation has been proposed. The health of kids should be a top priority, considering they are the future. Laws like this ensure that students receive all of the nutrients they need to improve their health and succeed.
