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<ns0:ActionText>INTRODUCED</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2026-02-19</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:ActionText>AMENDED_ASSEMBLY</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2026-03-24</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:ActionText>AMENDED_ASSEMBLY</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2026-04-06</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:SessionYear>2025</ns0:SessionYear>
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<ns0:AuthorText authorType="LEAD_AUTHOR">Introduced by Assembly Member Gabriel</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:AuthorText authorType="COAUTHOR_OPPOSITE">(Coauthor: Senator Weber Pierson)</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:Authors>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>LEAD_AUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Gabriel</ns0:Name>
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<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Weber Pierson</ns0:Name>
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<ns0:Title>An act to add Article 5 (commencing with Section 110423.200) to Chapter 4 of Part 5 of, and to add Chapter 12.9 (commencing with Section 114379.80) to Part 7 of, Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to food.</ns0:Title>
<ns0:RelatingClause>food</ns0:RelatingClause>
<ns0:GeneralSubject>
<ns0:Subject>California Certified food standard.</ns0:Subject>
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<html:p>Existing law, the Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Law (law), under the administration and enforcement of the State Department of Public Health, provides for the regulation of various subjects relating to the manufacturing, processing, labeling, advertising, and sale of food, drugs, and cosmetics. Existing law provides that a violation of the law is punishable as a misdemeanor or a fine, and authorizes the department to assess a civil penalty against a person who violates any provision of the law.</html:p>
<html:p>Existing law defines, for certain school-related purposes, “ultraprocessed food” as any food or beverage that contains a specified substance and either high amounts of saturated fat, sodium, or added sugar or a nonnutritive sweetener or other substance, as specified. Existing law requires the department to adopt regulations, on or before June 1,
2028, to define “ultraprocessed foods of concern” and “restricted school foods,” as specified, and requires the department, when defining ultraprocessed foods of concern and restricted school foods, to consider specified factors, including, among others, whether the substance or group of substances are banned or restricted in other state, federal, or international jurisdictions due to concerns about adverse health consequences.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would require the department, no later than June 1, 2028, to accredit certification agents that can certify products as “California Certified.” The bill would prohibit an accredited certification agent from certifying a product as “California Certified” if it is classified as an ultraprocessed food, ultraprocessed food of concern, or a restricted school food, as defined. The bill would require the department to create a specified standardized “California Certified” seal. The bill would authorize a person to use the seal on a product
only if the product has been certified by an accredited certification agent. The bill would require an accredited certification agent to, among other things, register with the department and provide a list to the department of all the products certified by the accredited certification agent. The bill would require any registration information submitted by an accredited certification agent to the department to be made available to the public for inspection and copying.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would require an accredited certification agent to immediately make specified records available to the department for inspection, as specified, and would authorize the department to audit the accredited certification agent’s certification procedures and records at any time. The bill would require any records of the accredited certification agent not otherwise required to be disclosed to be kept confidential by the department. The bill would require the department to maintain a public internet
webpage that lists all of the products currently certified as “California Certified” as reported by the accredited certification agent.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would make it unlawful for a person to certify products as “California Certified” unless duly registered as an accredited certification agent, for a person to willfully make a false statement or representation or knowingly fail to disclose a fact required to be disclosed in registration as an accredited certification agent, for a person to willfully make a false statement or representation or knowingly fail to disclose a fact required to be disclosed to an accredited certification agent, and for a person to use the California Certified seal on a product that does not meet the above-described provisions. The bill would authorize the department, among others, to enjoin a person who engages, has engaged, or proposes to engage in the misuse of the California Certified seal. The bill would provide that a violation of these
provisions is not subject to the enforcement provisions of the Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Law.</html:p>
<html:p>Existing law, the California Retail Food Code (Code), establishes uniform health and sanitation standards for, and provides for regulation by the State Department of Public Health of, retail food facilities, as defined, and requires local enforcement agencies to enforce these provisions. Existing law provides that a violation of the code is punishable as a misdemeanor or a fine. Existing law defines a food facility as an operation that stores, prepares, packages, serves, vends, or otherwise provides food for human consumption at the retail level, including, but not limited to, an operation where food is consumed on or off the premises, regardless of whether there is a charge for the food.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would require a food facility with gross annual store sales of more than $10,000,000 to prominently display, as defined, at
least 3 or more “California Certified” items if the food facility offers for sale more than 25 certified items. The bill would authorize the department, among others, to enjoin a food facility that fails to meet these requirements. The bill would exempt a violation of these provisions from criminal liability under the California Retail Food Code. By imposing a higher level of service on local enforcement agencies required to enforce these provisions, this bill would impose a state-mandated
local program.</html:p>
<html:p>The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.</html:p>
<html:p>Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need
for protecting that interest.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.</html:p>
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<ns0:FiscalCommittee>YES</ns0:FiscalCommittee>
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<ns0:Bill id="bill">
<ns0:Preamble>The people of the State of California do enact as follows:</ns0:Preamble>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_68649DFC-F6F5-4942-9096-95B47558EFC6">
<ns0:Num>SECTION 1.</ns0:Num>
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Article 5 (commencing with Section 110423.200) is added to Chapter 4 of Part 5 of Division 104 of the
<ns0:DocName>Health and Safety Code</ns0:DocName>
, to read:
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<ns0:Num>5.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawHeadingVersion id="id_2A8BCE1B-3A70-461B-AFC8-BA4D52632BFA">
<ns0:LawHeadingText>California Certified</ns0:LawHeadingText>
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<ns0:Num>110423.200.</ns0:Num>
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<ns0:Content>
<html:p>It is the intent of the Legislature to provide consumers with reliable and easily accessible health-related information so that they can make informed choices when purchasing food and beverages.</html:p>
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</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_99994EB6-C7A7-4C3A-836D-9EF1327D119D">
<ns0:Num>110423.201.</ns0:Num>
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<ns0:Content>
<html:p>For purposes of this article, all of the following definitions apply:</html:p>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Accredited certification agent” means an entity accredited by the department to certify products as “California Certified.”
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“California Certified” means a product that has been certified by an accredited certification agent.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Department” means the State Department of Public Health.
</html:p>
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</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_CFBBB65C-87AE-40B2-BEF7-44DB659AEEE3">
<ns0:Num>110423.202.</ns0:Num>
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<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
No later than June 1, 2028, the department shall accredit certification agents that can certify products as “California Certified” pursuant to this section.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
An accredited certification agent shall not certify a product as “California Certified” if it is classified as any of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
An ultraprocessed food, as defined in Section 104661.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
An ultraprocessed food of concern, as defined in Section 104662.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A restricted school food, as defined in Section 104662.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A product shall be recertified as “California Certified” no less frequently than every three years.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
If a product using the “California Certified” seal is reformulated, an applicant for certification of a product shall submit an application to the accredited certification agent within 30 days for recertification of the reformulated product.
</html:p>
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</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_B1A29DA2-9B57-4E17-A160-D40CA4053D29">
<ns0:Num>110423.203.</ns0:Num>
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<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department shall create a standardized seal that may incorporate both of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The phrase “California Certified Not Ultraprocessed Food Standard.”
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Images and themes associated with California and healthy, nutritious whole foods.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A person may use the “California Certified” seal on a product only if the product has been certified by an accredited certification agent pursuant to this article.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The seal may be placed on the principal display panel,
the information panel, or elsewhere on the package, provided that the
seal does not obscure other required information, such as the nutrition facts panel or the statement of identity.
</html:p>
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</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_EF2B6C81-C00B-431C-AD1E-8DA931B2CC2F">
<ns0:Num>110423.204.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_4BF50DE2-9E18-43EC-8305-5F827D13ED16">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
An accredited certification agent shall do all of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Register with the department on a form provided by the department.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Annually renew the registration, unless the certification agency is no longer engaged in certifying products pursuant to this article.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Provide a list to the department of all the products certified by the accredited certification agent.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Any registration information submitted by an accredited certification agent to the
department shall be made available to the public for inspection and copying.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_DDC7451E-4D23-414A-B752-60C00C9F170F">
<ns0:Num>110423.205.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_BCEEDB64-8EBD-44B4-BAC2-5BAB221D9975">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
An accredited certification agent that certifies products sold as “California Certified” shall immediately make the following records available for inspection by, and shall, upon request within three business days of the request, or within a reasonable time exceeding three business days as determined by the department, provide a copy to, the department:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Records obtained from applicants for certification of a product.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Records created by the accredited certification agent regarding applications for certification of a product.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department may audit the accredited certification agent’s certification procedures and records at any time, but any records of the accredited certification agent not otherwise required to be disclosed shall be kept confidential by the department.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department shall maintain a public internet webpage that lists all of the products currently certified as “California Certified” as reported by the accredited certification agent.
</html:p>
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</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_526E3835-758E-4A17-B6E5-0AA484D79343">
<ns0:Num>110423.206.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_0DA31FF8-AD46-49A2-A240-C547A2BFBC06">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>The department may adopt any regulations as are reasonably necessary to assist in the implementation of, or to make more specific the provisions of, this article.</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
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</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_093B6AE3-DD14-4E63-ACC0-9784CD391E63">
<ns0:Num>110423.207.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_1A965DA9-9AEE-4E17-B5B9-C1FA75D32B1C">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
It is unlawful for a person to certify products as “California Certified” unless duly registered as an accredited certification agent.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
It is unlawful for a person to willfully make a false statement or representation, or knowingly fail to disclose a fact required to be disclosed, in registration as an accredited certification agent pursuant to this article.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
It is unlawful for a person to willfully make a false statement or representation, or knowingly fail to disclose a fact required to be disclosed to an accredited certification agent.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
It is unlawful for a person to use the California Certified seal on a product that does not meet the provisions of this article.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(e)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A person who engages, has engaged, or proposes to engage in the misuse of the California Certified seal may be enjoined in any court of competent jurisdiction by any of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Attorney General,
county counsel, city attorney, or city prosecutor in a city having a full-time city prosecutor in the name of the people of the State of California.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A consumer, business entity, or non-profit organization.
</html:p>
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<ns0:LawSection id="id_0CCEA39A-EBCB-43DD-8D5D-E98D51998536">
<ns0:Num>110423.208.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_B6A4E118-2386-462F-8C7D-29F0A790FB87">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>A violation of this article shall not be subject to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 111825).</html:p>
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<ns0:Num>SEC. 2.</ns0:Num>
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Chapter 12.9 (commencing with Section 114379.80) is added to Part 7 of Division 104 of the
<ns0:DocName>Health and Safety Code</ns0:DocName>
, to read:
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<ns0:Num>12.9.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawHeadingVersion id="id_261E5669-A53E-4F0D-A004-2BC26FC558F2">
<ns0:LawHeadingText>Preferred Placement</ns0:LawHeadingText>
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<ns0:LawSection id="id_16EB2FC8-CD28-464D-81F0-E045C02CFD4A">
<ns0:Num>114379.80.</ns0:Num>
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<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
For purposes of this chapter, “prominently display” means to offer a product for sale on a display unit at the end of an aisle, a checkout aisle, store entrance, or at an equally prominent location.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A food facility, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 113789, with gross annual store sales of more than ten million dollars ($10,000,000) shall prominently display at least 3 or more items certified according to Article 5 (commencing with Section 110423.200) if the food facility offers for sale more than 25 certified items.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department may adopt any regulations as
are reasonably necessary to assist in the implementation of the provisions of this section.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
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</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_DF3BF39F-11D0-4E2E-9DAA-ABAE4EEB1908">
<ns0:Num>114379.81.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_CFA9944F-53ED-4AE0-B43C-32E31E0B0138">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>A food facility described in Section 114379.80 that fails to meet the requirements of this chapter may be enjoined in any court of competent jurisdiction by any of the following:</html:p>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Attorney General,
county counsel, city attorney, or city prosecutor in a city having a full-time city prosecutor in the name of the people of the State of California.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A consumer, business entity, or nonprofit organization.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_F9A248E0-B419-40CD-914E-7B3F70A34E46">
<ns0:Num>114379.82.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_4ED9276C-EA24-4FE5-9DD5-510C80DF9590">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>A violation of this chapter shall not be subject to Section 114395.</html:p>
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<ns0:Num>SEC. 3.</ns0:Num>
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<html:p>The Legislature finds and declares that Section 1 of this act, which adds Section 110423.205 to the Health and Safety Code, imposes a limitation on the public’s right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies within the meaning of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution. Pursuant to that constitutional provision, the Legislature makes the following findings to demonstrate the interest protected by this limitation and the need for protecting that interest:</html:p>
<html:p>To ensure protection for confidential and proprietary business information, including, but not limited to, trade secrets, any records of the accredited certification agent not otherwise required to be disclosed shall be kept confidential by the department.</html:p>
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<ns0:Num>SEC. 4.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.</html:p>
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