STAT+: One California politician’s unexpected crusade against ultra-processed food

California legislator Jesse Gabriel championed a series of bills targeting the health risks associated with ultra-processed foods, culminating in the signing of the California Food Safety Act in 2023. This legislation prohibited the use of four specific food additives, including brominated vegetable oil and potassium bromate, which have been linked to increased risks of cancer and reproductive issues. Following California's action, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration subsequently took regulatory steps concerning all four additives. Gabriel, elected to the California State Assembly in 2018, has become a prominent national advocate against ultra-processed foods in recent years. Beyond the 2023 food additives law, he also spearheaded a state law banning six artificial food dyes and established the first U.S. legal definition for ultra-processed foods, which are now banned from school meals.