HHS, FDA, and USDA Address Health Risks of Ultra-Processed Foods
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), alongside the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is taking significant steps to address the health risks associated with ultra-processed foods. Under the leadership of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins, the agencies have announced a joint Request for Information (RFI) aimed at creating a federally recognized standardized definition for ultra-processed foods.
The goal is to enhance consumer transparency and mitigate the contribution of these foods to the nation’s chronic disease epidemic. "Ultra-processed foods are driving our chronic disease epidemic," said Secretary Kennedy. He emphasized the importance of defining these foods to empower healthier choices among consumers. The assessment highlights that roughly 70% of packaged products in the U.S. fall under the ultra-processed category, and these foods comprise over 60% of children's caloric intake.
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H., expressed commitment to this initiative, seeing it as critical to public health. Studies have increasingly linked ultra-processed food consumption to adverse health outcomes such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. The standardization in defining these foods is intended to align federal research and policy efforts to better address these concerns.
The RFI will be available on July 24 in the federal register and solicits public input on the factors that should constitute the definition of ultra-processed foods. Additionally, the Nutrition Regulatory Science Program by FDA and NIH aims to further research into the health impacts of these foods, supporting broader policy initiatives seeking to reduce chronic disease and promote a healthier future.
