California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order that could have implications for Disneyland menus.

On Friday, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order cracking down on “ultra-processed foods” and food dyes. Let’s take a closer look at the contents of the executive order and its potential impact on Disney menus in the future.

The executive order issued by Governor Newsom on Friday takes aim at “ultra-processed foods” and food dyes and their associated health risks.

The order calls on various government agencies to take action with the aim of reducing the consumption of ultra-processed food and increasing access to healthy food options.

What’s Included in the Executive Order?

The executive order requires various government departments to take action, including:

• Providing recommendations about potential ways to limit the harms of ultra-processed foods
• Continuing work on the investigation into the health impacts of food dyes
• Providing ecommendations of actions to reduce the purchase of soda, candy, and other ultra-processed foods
• Adopting higher standards for healthy school meals
• Expanding access to healthy food and reducing the impact of “food deserts”

In a statement, Newsom said, “The food we eat shouldn’t make us sick with disease or lead to lifelong consequences. California has been a leader for years in creating healthy and delicious school meals, and removing harmful ingredients and chemicals from food.”

He went on to say, “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.”

What Are Ultra-Processed Foods?

With the focus on “ultra-processed foods,” let’s first take a look at what the term includes. According to Harvard Medical School, ultra-processed foods “are made mostly from substances extracted from foods, such as fats, starches, added sugars, and hydrogenated fats.” They may also include artificial colors and flavors.

Some common examples of ultra-processed foods include fast food, packaged snack foods, frozen meals, hot dogs, soda, and other sugary beverages. In comparison, “processed foods” may contain added salt, sugar, or oil, and include items like homemade bread, peanut butter, applesauce, and canned vegetables.

Ultra-processed foods are associated with greater risks of obesity, which can lead to an increase in chronic health conditions.

What Could Change in Disneyland?

The executive order does not include a plan to ban ultra-processed foods. Instead, the Governor’s Office is looking for recommendations on actions the state can take to reduce their consumption.

This may include requiring a warning label on certain ultra-processed foods. If such a requirement is implemented, it could mean warning labels would be needed on certain packaged snacks and menus in Disneyland.

Governor Newsom also asked the California Department of Social Services to recommend ways the state can reduce the purchase of soda, candy, and other ultra-processed foods by April 1st, 2025. Any recommendations made by the agency could also have a downstream impact on Disneyland menus.

Will Disney World Be Impacted?

The executive order is specific to California, however, due to the state’s significant economic influence, it could lead to a crackdown on ultra-processed foods at a federal level.

If California does require companies to change the way they label and package foods, those changes are likely to be seen all over the country, especially for national brands.

Plus, with pledges from incoming Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to overhaul the nation’s food system, we can reasonably expect to see some shake-up on Disney menus on both coasts.

We’ll be on the lookout for more specific requirements related to the executive order as decisions are made related to the requested recommendations, so stay tuned to DFB for the latest news!