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AB-1148 • 2026

Food packaging: hazardous chemicals.

Food packaging: hazardous chemicals.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Sharp-Collins
Last action
Official status
Senate - Appropriations
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official text does not define the exact chemical thresholds for non-intentionally added substances; these will be set by future regulations.

Food Packaging Chemical Restrictions

This law bans food packaging with certain added chemicals starting in 2028 and sets rules for other chemical limits later.

What This Bill Does

  • Prohibits the manufacture, distribution, sale, or offering for sale of food packaging containing intentionally added bisphenols or ortho-phthalates on January 1, 2028.
  • Requires the Department of Toxic Substances Control to create a limit (threshold) for chemicals that are not intentionally added, if funding is approved.
  • Bans food packaging with non-intentionally added bisphenols or ortho-phthalates once they reach the new limit set by regulations, no sooner than one year after those rules are adopted.
  • Mandates that manufacturers keep records for food packaging containing non-intentionally added bisphenols or ortho-phthalates.
  • Sets fines up to $5,000 for a first violation and up to $10,000 for each later violation.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Manufacturers of food packaging sold in the state
  • Companies that distribute or sell food packaging in the state
  • The Department of Toxic Substances Control
  • The Attorney General

Terms To Know

Bisphenols and ortho-phthalates
Chemicals used to make plastics that this law restricts in food packaging.
Intentionally added
Chemicals put into the product on purpose during manufacturing, as opposed to those present by accident or contamination.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The ban on non-intentionally added chemicals cannot start until at least one year after new regulations are written.
  • Funding for this law depends on the Legislature approving money from the Toxic Substances Control Account.
  • The exact limit amount for non-intentionally added chemicals is not set in this text and will be decided later by regulators.

Bill History

  1. California Legislative Information

    Senate - Appropriations

Official Summary Text

Food packaging: hazardous chemicals.