California introduces certification for non-ultraprocessed foods

California has introduced AB 2244, a law that establishes a consumer-facing certification program to identify foods that meet state criteria for being non-ultraprocessed (UPF). This move follows statutory criteria for ultraprocessed foods established by the state in 2025.

The legislation creates a regulatory challenge as the FDA and USDA are currently working to develop a uniform federal definition of ultraprocessed foods, a task the FDA has prioritized for 2026. This discrepancy between state-level certification and pending federal definitions raises questions regarding consistency across the food system.

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has advocated for a science-based approach, urging policymakers to prioritize nutritional quality over processing intensity. Experts caution that classification systems focusing solely on processing levels could inadvertently categorize beneficial items—such as whole-grain bread, yogurt, fortified cereals, and infant formula—as ultraprocessed.