California is making groundbreaking progress toward shifting how children eat at school. Assembly Bill 1264, authored by Assembly member Jesse Gabriel, recently passed the California State Assembly with wide bipartisan support.
If signed, it would help identify “particularly harmful” ultra-processed foods (UPFs) based on additives, sugar, and other health harms, and phase them out of public school meals by 2032, with a transition period beginning as early as January 1, 2028
UPFs are industrially manufactured products engineered for hyper-palatable appeal, packed with additives such as sweeteners, emulsifiers, colorants, and stabilizers. Research has linked them to obesity, type- 2 diabetes, heart disease, mental health and behavioral issues, and food addiction, especially among children, who get an [shocking] estimated two‑thirds of their daily calories from these foods. Many supports, along with us here at Oobli, believe this bill is a major step toward shifting school meals toward whole, nutritious food.
Why This Matters to Oobli
At Oobli, we believe that a big reduction in added sugar in our diets is essential — especially for kids at a young age, where many healthy habits stem from. Yet we also understand sugar isn’t inherently evil: humans are biologically wired to crave sweetness. That’s where our approach fits in. It’s not just about removing sugar — we also have to replace it with better sweetness that still satisfies our biological need for sweet foods.
Our sweet proteins offer a perfect alternative to rehabilitate these types of sweet foods, and they can be paired with other natural sweeteners like stevia to even better replicate the taste of sugar. Plus, because they’re proteins, they metabolize like any other dietary protein, and they don’t spike blood sugar or insulin, or affect the gut microbiome.
We believe that in this evolving landscape, schools need tools that preserve the emotional and sensory joy of sweetness without exposing kids to the downsides of sugar-heavy, ultra-processed treats.
How Sweet Proteins Can Fit into School Nutrition Reform
Compatible with California’s new UPF framework
AB 1264 directs OEHHA to focus on foods high in added sugar and with engineered additives that drive overconsumption. Sweet proteins, in contrast, don't rely on refined sugar, don’t raise blood sugar or insulin, and don’t create addictive feedback loops.
Maintain joy and compliance
Removing ultra-processed snacks and sweets is important — but kids still deserve tasty options. Sweet protein–based snacks can support compliance, helping schools offer sweet treats that feel familiar without violating policy and get back to the roots of good health.
Support public health goals
Our mission aligns closely with California’s: reduce obesity and diabetes risk while helping children stay focused and nourished. Sweet proteins allow flavor without compromise, reducing sugar intake while preserving student satisfaction in the foods they need to thrive.
What’s Next — and How Oobli Can Help
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OEHHA will define what qualifies as “particularly harmful” by summer 2026; the petition process for exemptions begins by 2028.
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Schools begin phasing out harmful UPFs by 2028, with a full ban starting by 2032.
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Oobli is actively exploring collaborations with school food services, pilot programs, and makers of healthier snacks to incorporate sweet proteins into compliant school lunches and fundraising items.
We’re optimistic that California’s leadership will inspire other states, and that smart ingredient innovation, combined with policy momentum, can reshape how children experience sweetness in a healthier way.
What’s Next?
California’s AB 1264 marks a pivotal shift away from sugar-laden, ultra-processed foods in schools. Oobli believes sweet proteins can be the perfect ally in this transition, a way to honor our innate love of sweetness while protecting the long-term health and well-being of kids. We’re committed to working with schools and thought leaders to ensure the future of school food is both delicious and responsible.
