Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health California Moves to Eliminate Ultraprocessed Foods from School Lunches — by 2035
Nov 26, 2025
California is leading the charge against ultraprocessed foods in school lunches with a bold new law, but it won't fully take effect until 2035. These addictive foods are linked to alarming health issues in children, including obesity and poor metabolic markers. Experts discuss how ultra-processed options impact cravings and suggest empowering parents to make healthier choices at home. Simple strategies like cooking with kids, teaching marketing literacy, and reducing screen time can help shift habits toward real, nourishing foods.
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Policy Reframes School Nutrition
- California passed the Real Food Healthy Kids Act to phase out ultraprocessed foods in school lunches by 2035.
- The law shifts focus from calories to ingredient integrity as a driver of child metabolic health.
Legal Timeline Leaves Long Exposure Window
- The law includes a long enforcement timeline with reporting starting in 2028 and full phase-out by 2035.
- That delay leaves many children exposed now, so parental action remains crucial.
Engineered Foods Undermine Satiety
- Ultraprocessed foods hit a bliss point that overrides satiety and encourages overeating.
- Repeated exposure during childhood builds cravings and makes weight control harder over time.