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A bill making its way through California's legislature could lead to the phase-out of ultra-processed foods from school meals.

The bill, a first-of-its-kind in the U.S., aims to identify "particularly harmful" ultra-processed foods by next year and require schools to start phasing them out in 2028. By 2035, these foods would be banned entirely.

Assembly Bill 1264, authored by Assembly Member Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), is scheduled to be heard by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Friday before it can go before the full Senate.

California has been at the forefront of the war against ultra-processed foods, which have also been a target of U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

RFK Jr. named UPFs in his "Make America Healthy Again" report, which claims that 70 percent of children's calories come from UPFs today. Meanwhile, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order in January directing his administration to find ways to "limit the harms" of UFPs.

“The food we eat shouldn’t make us sick,” the Democratic governor wrote in a statement. “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.”

AB 1264, as pointed out by its author, is a bipartisan effort.

“Our public schools should not be serving students ultra-processed food products filled with chemical additives that can harm their physical and mental health and interfere with their ability to learn,” Gabriel wrote in a statement. "Democrats and Republicans are joining forces to prioritize the health and safety of our children and we are proud to be leading the nation with a bipartisan, science-based approach."

If the bill passes by the Sept. 12 deadline, it will require scientists to work with experts from the University of California to identify "particularly harmful" ultra-processed foods based on scientific research linking them to cancer, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, neurological or behavioral issues and more.

"America’s diet is now dominated by ultra-processed foods, many of which were shaped by the same corporate strategies that once hooked people on cigarettes," said Dr. Ashley Gearhardt, a professor of Psychology at the University of Michigan. "The result? Rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and diet-related diseases, especially in children.”

A study published this month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention described UPFs as "hyperpalatable, energy-dense, low in dietary fiber, and contain little or no whole foods, while having high amounts of salt, sweeteners and unhealthy fats."

Researchers analyzed UFP consumption in youth and adults from August 2021 to August 2023. They found that youth aged 1 to 18 years consumed a higher percentage of calories from UPFs (62 percent) than adults aged 19 and older (53 percent).

In the four-tiered NOVA food classification system, these foods are considered Category 4 foods.

Category 1 contains "whole foods" or unprocessed or minimally processed foods like fresh vegetables, fruits, beans, meat and fish. Category 3 includes processed foods made from ingredients in the first two categories.

However, Category 4 includes foods like packaged chips, mass-produced bread, processed meats and ready-made frozen pizzas.