Sen. Cervantes seeks clear tax exemption for infant formula; SB 1151 amended and sent to appropriations

Sen. Cervantes presented SB 1151 to explicitly recognize infant formula as a food product under California law to preserve the sales-and-use tax exemption for formula, including specialized products used for medical conditions.

"Infant formula should be clearly recognized as a food product under California law," the author told the committee, saying the bill codifies longstanding regulatory treatment and removes uncertainty that could increase costs for families. The author noted some formulas are plant‑based or amino‑acid–based and may not clearly fall within outdated statutory categories.

Quirk Silva and other members described sticker-shock at retail prices for powdered formula (one member referenced seeing a $59 can) and urged support. The committee moved and seconded the bill; a roll call recorded ayes and the chair reported SB 1151 as amended to the Appropriations Committee.

Supporters and the author emphasized the bill’s goal of protecting families and preserving the tax exemption regardless of formula type.