California

School Meals Would Lose Pizza, Chips, and Sugary Drinks Under New California Bill

Hoping to reduce obesity and diabetes, a bipartisan group of state lawmakers proposes phasing out ultra-processed foods by 2032.
School Meals Would Lose Pizza, Chips, and Sugary Drinks Under New California Bill
Students on their lunch break at Hollywood High School in Los Angeles on April 27, 2021. Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images
Jill McLaughlin
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A bipartisan group of California lawmakers who want to make California the first state to remove ultra-processed foods from school meals introduced legislation on March 19 to phase out the “particularly harmful” fare within seven years.

Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) introduced Assembly Bill 1264 on March 19, targeting foods with chemical additives provided to schoolchildren.
Jill McLaughlin
Jill McLaughlin
Author
Jill McLaughlin is an award-winning journalist covering politics, environment, and statewide issues. She has been a reporter and editor for newspapers in Oregon, Nevada, and New Mexico. Jill was born in Yosemite National Park and enjoys the majestic outdoors, traveling, golfing, and hiking.