HHS, FDA and USDA to Establish a Uniform Definition for Ultra-Processed Foods

Under the leadership of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture are accelerating federal efforts to address the growing concerns around ultra-processed foods and the current epidemic of diet-related chronic disease that is plaguing America.

The agencies are announcing a joint Request for Information (RFI) to gather information and data to help establish a federally recognized uniform definition for ultra-processed foods - a critical step in providing increased transparency to consumers about the foods they eat.

"Ultra-processed foods are driving our chronic disease epidemic," said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. "We must act boldly to eliminate the root causes of chronic illness and improve the health of our food supply. Defining ultra-processed foods with a clear, uniform standard will empower us even more to Make America Healthy Again."

Currently, there is no single authoritative definition for ultra-processed foods for the U.S. food supply. Creating a uniform federal definition will serve as a key to deliver on the heels of the recently published Make Our Children Healthy Again Assessment, which recognizes that the overconsumption of ultra-processed foods is one of the driving factors of the childhood chronic disease crisis.

"President Trump has made it a priority to improve health outcomes for American families and communities. And this Request for Information is yet another step in seeking commonsense ways to foster improved and more informed consumer choice. A unified, widely understood definition for ultra-processed foods is long overdue and I look forward to continued partnership with Secretary Kennedy to Make America Healthy Again. As this process unfolds, I will make certain the great men and women of the agriculture value chain are part of the conversation," said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins.

"I am delighted to lead this critical effort at the FDA," said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H. "The threats posed to our health by foods often considered ultra-processed are clear and convincing, making it imperative that we work in lockstep with our federal partners to advance, for the first time ever, a uniform definition of ultra-processed foods."

It is estimated that approximately 70% of packaged products in the U.S. food supply are foods often considered ultra-processed, and that children get over 60% of their calories from such foods. Dozens of scientific studies have found links between the consumption of foods often considered ultra-processed with numerous adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, cancer, obesity and neurological disorders. Helping to address overconsumption of ultra-processed foods is a key element to Make America Healthy Again.

A uniform definition of ultra-processed foods will allow for consistency in research and policy to pave the way for addressing health concerns associated with the consumption of ultra-processed foods. The RFI will be publicly available tomorrow in the federal register and seeks information on what factors and criteria should be included in defining ultra-processed foods.

Alongside developing a uniform definition, the FDA and National Institutes of Health are investing in high-quality research to help answer remaining questions about the health impacts of ultra-processed foods through its recently announced Nutrition Regulatory Science Program. The Department will also continue to pursue developing and implementing other key policies and programs that seek to collectively, dramatically reduce chronic disease and help ensure a healthy future for our nation.

EDITOR’S TAKE:

A seemingly small and simple step, but one with very expansive impact if it helps identify how ultra-processed foods truly interact with our health and well-being. It will be interesting to follow the development of and use of such a definition to get answers to those questions that scientists have about how certain diseases are linked to processed foods. This could also, in the end, help promote more natural foods that come directly from our farms and ranches that will improve or even eliminate some diseases that are potentially making us ill.

Perhaps this is a good time for you to help promote the locally grown produce, such as fruits and vegetables. Or maybe that local meat producer associated with a livestock farm or two in your neighborhood. Put them on your website to show how important agriculture is to your dealership. Oh, here’s an idea – make them part of your own local AgPack® offer that is on top of all the AgPack® offerings provided by our fantastic partners.