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AB 2302

Food safety: infant formula.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lisa Calderon and 3 co-sponsors

AB 2302 extends California Sherman Law oversight to infant formula, regulating manufacturing, labeling, advertising, and sale with misdemeanor enforcement to protect consumer safet

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on E.Q. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (June 24). Re-referred to Com. on E.Q.
#foodsafety #infantformula
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · AB 2302

Summary of AB 2302 (2025-2026) — California

Purpose and Intent

AB 2302 aims to address food safety related to infant formula under California’s Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Law. The bill seeks to regulate the manufacturing, processing, labeling, advertising, and sale of infant formula to protect public health and ensure safe, properly marketed products for infants.

Key Provisions and Changes (as indicated by the bill text and context)

  • Scope of Regulation: Expands or specifies application of the Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Law to infant formula, ensuring state health authorities oversee production practices, labeling, advertising, and distribution for formula products.
  • Enforcement Framework: Maintains a misdemeanor-level enforcement path under existing state law for violations related to the manufacturing, processing, labeling, advertising, or sale of infant formula.
  • ** Oversight and Compliance:** Likely directs the State Department of Public Health (or related agencies) to regulate infant formula similarly to other foods/drugs/cosmetics within the Sherman Act framework, including inspections, compliance checks, and penalties for noncompliance.
  • Administrative Process: The bill has moved through committees with amendments and has a structured legislative timeline, indicating refined provisions during hearings.

Note: The available text emphasizes the general alignment with the Sherman Law and the enforcement mechanism (misdemeanor) but does not provide a detailed list of specific new requirements (e.g., testing standards, specific labeling disclosures, recalls, or penalties beyond the general misdemeanor framework). The procedural history suggests committee amendments and re-referencing, signaling potential refinements to scope or enforcement.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Infant Formula Manufacturers and Distributors: Subject to state regulatory oversight covering manufacturing practices, labeling, advertising, and sale.
  • Brand Owners/Marketers: Must ensure labeling and promotional materials comply with state standards established under the Sherman Law for infant formula.
  • Retailers and Sellers: Must verify that products offered for sale meet applicable labeling and safety requirements and comply with advertising standards.
  • Consumers (Infants’ Families): Potentially benefit from strengthened safety, labeling clarity, and clearer regulatory actions for unsafe products.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Sponsor and Co-Sponsors: Primary sponsor not listed; co-sponsors include Celeste Rodriguez and Lisa Calderon.
  • Legislative Journey (recent actions):
    • 2026-02-19: Read first time; to print.
    • 2026-02-20: From printer; may be heard in committee March 22.
    • 2026-03-09: Referred to Committees on HEALTH and Emergency Services & Terrorism & Military (E.S & T.M.).
    • 2026-03-24: Amended and passed as amended; re-referred to E.S & T.M (Ayes 13, Noes 0).
    • 2026-04-06: Re-referred to Committee on E.S & T.M.
  • Lawful Basis: Builds on Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Law; violations remain punishable as misdemeanors.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Strengthened regulatory oversight for infant formula could improve safety, labeling accuracy, and consumer protection.
  • The misdemeanor enforcement framework indicates penalties for noncompliance, though the bill text provided does not specify new monetary penalties or civil remedies.
  • The exact nature of the anticipated regulatory standards (e.g., testing requirements, facility compliance, recall procedures) would be determined by the detailed amendments adopted during committee process.

If you’d like, I can track the latest amendments and provide a more granular breakdown of any new requirements (labeling specifics, testing standards, recall procedures, compliance timelines) once the full text and amendments are available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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