California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order to reduce consumption of processed food in the state, improve access to healthy foods and investigate the harmful effects of food additives.
The executive order authorizes a battery of measures to improve food choices in California. State organizations will be ordered to provide recommendations to the Governor’s Office to reduce the harms associated with processed-food consumption.
They will also be tasked with investigating the harmful effects of synthetic food dyes like Red 40; recommending actions to reduce processed-food consumption; investigating how to improve access to healthy foods, especially in so-called “food deserts;” and investigating how to improve California’s school meals.
The executive order notes that over 70% of American adults are overweight or obese and nearly 40% of 12-19 year olds are prediabetic.
“The food we eat shouldn’t make us sick with disease or lead to lifelong consequences,” said Governor Newsom in a statement
“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.”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, has identified processed foods as one of the principal causes of America’s unprecedented health crisis. He has vowed to “make America healthy again.”
If you want to know more about processed food and its negative health effects, read our detailed primer here.