On Jan. 3, 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order for California state agencies to investigate and further research the effects of synthetic food dyes and increase the availability and affordability of healthy food.
Synthetic food dyes such as red 40, blue one and yellow 2 are found in 43% of processed foods (National Library of Medicine). These food dyes, intended to enhance the coloring of foods, have been tested to find relationships between their vibrant colors and health issues. There have been mixed results about this connection, but food dyes may change brain structure, leading to ADHD, chronic diseases and learning disabilities.
This executive order also requests that California adopts higher standards for school meals. New standards and partnerships have also agreed to further universal school food programs, outside of California. California currently leads the country in school meal programs, exceeding federal regulations. Organizations have reduced added sugars, sodium, sodas, and caffeine in schools. To counter this, school food programs have added more fruits, vegetables and grains to the menu.
“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. 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.” Newsom said.
Newsom’s goal is to prioritize the health of California because the Dietary Advisory Committee reports 73% of U.S. adults are overweight or obese and 38% of youth are prediabetic.
PRHS students are to be affected by Newsom’s new regulations in 2025 and onward because of their direct connection to schools. In the future, our school menus may continue to change, increasing our health.
Newsom’s order states agencies to:
- Recommend actions to limit the harms of ultra-processed food and food ingredients posing health risks
- Investigate the health impacts of synthetic food dyes
- Propose strategies to reduce the purchase of soda, candy, and other ultra-processed foods while incentivizing health food purchases through the CalFresh program
- Assess requiring Medi-Cal Managed Care plans and California hospitals to use community funds to enhance access to fresh foods and mitigate food desert
- Identify areas where california can adopt higher standards for healthy school meals than federal guidelines
- Explore new partnerships and standards to expand universal school food programs
Recent Legislative Issues
AB 2316: Prohibits synthetic food dye additives in school foods.
AB 660: standardized quality and safety date labels to reduce food waste
AB 418: Bans Red Dye No.3 and other harmful additives in food products
AB 518: Enhances data collection for increased CalFResh enrollment
AB 1830: Requires folic acid fortification in corn masa products
AB 2033: mandates food stores on public college campuses to accept SNAP/EBT cards
AB 2786: Establishes certifies mobile farmers’ market to increase access to fresh produce
To learn more:
To read more about Newsom’s new order, read the recent Paso Robles Daily News story.
To learn more about the effects of food dye on PRHS students check out the article Red 40 for Breakfast.