Skip to main content

California: AB1264

Phasing Out Ultraprocessed Foods in California Schools

Topics

No topics available

Bill Information

MAHA Approved

Summary

Bill Summary

California AB 1264, known as the Real Food, Healthy Kids Act, establishes a framework to phase out ultraprocessed foods from California schools by requiring the State Department of Public Health to define restricted school foods by June 1, 2028, with schools beginning phaseout by July 1, 2029, and achieving complete prohibition by July 1, 2032. The bill mandates that food vendors report detailed nutritional information annually and submit data on products sold, allowing transparent tracking of what foods are available to students. The legislation defines ultraprocessed foods of concern based on specific additives and high levels of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar, considering links to serious health conditions including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Schools and vendors will have time to transition away from these products while the state develops clear nutritional standards and monitoring systems.

Why It Matters to MAHA

MAHA strongly supports this bill because it embodies core principles of health freedom and patient autonomy by empowering parents and schools to make informed choices about what children consume. The transparency requirements, which mandate vendors disclose detailed nutritional information and product quantities, directly align with MAHA's commitment to transparency in healthcare and food systems so families can understand exactly what is being offered to their children. The bill removes regulatory barriers that have allowed ultraprocessed foods to dominate school cafeterias unchecked, instead establishing clear standards that prioritize whole foods and genuine nutrition over corporate convenience. By giving schools the autonomy to transition away from harmful food products rather than imposing immediate bans, the legislation respects institutional flexibility while moving toward healthier outcomes. This represents a win for health freedom because it trusts educators, parents, and vendors to align with better nutritional practices when given clear guidance and transparency.


Introduced

02/21/2025

In Committee

09/08/2025

Crossed Over

06/03/2025

Passed

10/08/2025

Enacted

10/08/2025

Sponsors

Jesse Gabriel

Democratic State Assemblymember (CA)

916-319-2046assemblymember.gabriel@assembly.ca.gov

Dawn Addis

Democratic State Assemblymember (CA)

916-319-2030dawn.addis@asm.ca.gov

Ben Allen

Democratic Senator (CA)

916-651-4024senator.allen@senate.ca.gov

Rebecca Bauer-Kahan

Democratic State Assemblymember (CA)

916-319-2016assemblymember.bauer-kahan@assembly.ca.gov

Marc Berman

Democratic State Assemblymember (CA)

916-319-2023assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov

Phillip Chen

Republican State Assemblymember (CA)

916-319-2059assemblymember.chen@assembly.ca.gov

Damon Connolly

Democratic State Assemblymember (CA)

916-319-2012assemblymember.connolly@assembly.ca.gov

Heath Flora

Republican State Assemblymember (CA)

916-319-2009assemblymember.flora@assembly.ca.gov

James Gallagher

Republican Representative (CA)

202-225-3076gallagher.house.gov

Heather Hadwick

Republican State Assemblymember (CA)

916-319-2001assemblymember.hadwick@assembly.ca.gov

Josh Hoover

Republican State Assemblymember (CA)

916-319-2007assemblymember.hoover@assembly.ca.gov

Ash Kalra

Democratic State Assemblymember (CA)

916-319-2025assemblymember.kalra@assembly.ca.gov

Alex Lee

Democratic State Assemblymember (CA)

916-319-2024assemblymember.lee@assembly.ca.gov

Josh Lowenthal

Democratic State Assemblymember (CA)

916-319-2069assemblymember.lowenthal@assembly.ca.gov

Steve Padilla

Democratic Senator (CA)

916-651-4018senator.padilla@senate.ca.gov

Joe Patterson

Republican State Assemblymember (CA)

916-319-2005assemblymember.joepatterson@assembly.ca.gov

Cottie Petrie-Norris

Democratic State Assemblymember (CA)

916-319-2073assemblymember.petrie-norris@assembly.ca.gov

Sasha Perez

Democratic Senator (CA)

916-651-4025senator.perez@senate.ca.gov

Kate Sanchez

Republican State Assemblymember (CA)

916-319-2071assemblymember.sanchez@assembly.ca.gov

Avelino Valencia

Democratic State Assemblymember (CA)

916-319-2068assemblymember.valencia@assembly.ca.gov

Suzette Martinez Valladares

Republican Senator (CA)

916-651-4023senator.valladares@senate.ca.gov

Akilah Weber Pierson

Democratic Senator (CA)

916-651-4039senator.weber@senate.ca.gov

Buffy Wicks

Democratic State Assemblymember (CA)

916-319-2014assemblymember.wicks@assembly.ca.gov

Scott Wiener

Democratic Senator (CA)

916-651-4011senator.wiener@senate.ca.gov

Activity

10/08/2025

Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 467, Statutes of 2025.

10/08/2025

Approved by the Governor.

09/24/2025

Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.

09/12/2025

Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 79. Noes 1. Page 3388.).

09/12/2025

In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.

09/11/2025

Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 2916.).

09/09/2025

From committee: That the measure be returned to Senate Floor for consideration. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (September 9)

09/09/2025

Senate Health Hearing (00:00:00 9/9/2025 1021 O Street, Room 2100)

09/08/2025

(Ayes 5. Noes 0. Page 2570.)

09/08/2025

Re-referred to Com. on HEALTH pursuant to Senate Rule 29.10(b).

09/08/2025

Re-referred to Com. on RLS. pursuant to Senate Rule 29.10(b).

09/08/2025

Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

09/04/2025

Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.

08/29/2025

Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

08/29/2025

From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (August 29).

08/29/2025

Senate Appropriations Hearing (00:00:00 8/29/2025 1021 O Street, Room 2200)

08/18/2025

In committee: Referred to suspense file.

08/18/2025

Senate Appropriations Hearing (10:00:00 8/18/2025 1021 O Street, Room 2200)

07/18/2025

Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

07/18/2025

From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (July 16).

07/16/2025

Senate Environmental Quality Hearing (09:00:00 7/16/2025 State Capitol, Room 112)

07/02/2025

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on E.Q. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (July 2). Re-referred to Com. on E.Q.

07/02/2025

Senate Education Hearing (09:00:00 7/2/2025 1021 O Street, Room 2100)

06/23/2025

From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on ED.

06/18/2025

Referred to Coms. on ED. and E.Q.

06/04/2025

In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

06/03/2025

Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 65. Noes 1. Page 1989.)

05/29/2025

Read third time and amended. Ordered to third reading. (Page 1789.)

05/27/2025

Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

05/23/2025

From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (May 23).

05/23/2025

Assembly Appropriations Hearing (00:00:00 5/23/2025 1021 O Street, Room 1100)

05/14/2025

In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.

05/14/2025

Assembly Appropriations Hearing (09:00:00 5/14/2025 1021 O Street, Room 1100)

04/30/2025

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (April 29). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

04/30/2025

Coauthors revised.

04/29/2025

Assembly Environmental Safety And Toxic Materials Hearing (13:30:00 4/29/2025 State Capitol, Room 444)

04/22/2025

Re-referred to Com. on E.S & T.M.

04/21/2025

Read second time and amended.

04/10/2025

From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on E.S & T.M. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (April 9).

04/09/2025

Assembly Education Hearing (13:30:00 4/9/2025 1021 O Street, Room 1100)

04/01/2025

Re-referred to Com. on ED.

03/28/2025

From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on ED. Read second time and amended.

03/28/2025

Referred to Coms. on ED. and E.S & T.M.

02/24/2025

Read first time.

02/22/2025

From printer. May be heard in committee March 24.

02/21/2025

Introduced. To print.

Questions or suggestions?

Have questions about this bill or our legislative tracker? We'd love to hear from you. Contact us and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.