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Dining out in California will forever come with an asterisk.Under a new law signed Monday, restaurant chains will have to slap a warning – a sugar cube inside a black triangle – on menus next to drinks packing an entire day’s recommended amount of added sugar.The requirement applies to chain restaurants with 20 or more locations and must be in place by Jan.1, 2029.
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By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story And at the other end of the food pyramid, California has also signed off on the nation’s first “Non-Ultraprocessed Certified” seal, allowing food manufacturers to tout their clean and natural bona fides.California defines ultra-processed foods as products containing certain additives, including flavors, colors, sweeteners and emulsifiers, or that are high in saturated fat, sodium or added sugar.The definition was established under a law signed off in 2025 targeting ultra-processed foods served in California’s public schools.Under the new certification program, manufacturers will be able to apply through accredited certification agents to use the new “Non-Ultraprocessed Certified” seal on their products if they meet California’s standards.The program will be overseen by the California Department of Public Health, although manufacturers will not be required to seek certification.The seal is modeled on the USDA Organic label, which allows shoppers to identify products that meet federal organic standards without having to check lengthy ingredient lists.Critics have argued the national label doesn’t go far enough, as it largely governs how agricultural products are produced and handled rather than guaranteeing that the finished product is healthy or minimally processed.The federal organic standards include restrictions on pesticides, fertilizers, gene...