Federal crackdown on ultra-processed foods targets hidden health risks fueling America’s chronic disease crisis
By isabelle // 2025-07-25
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  • Federal agencies announce a joint initiative to define ultra-processed foods, which are linked to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
  • Ultra-processed foods make up 70% of packaged foods and more than 60% of children's calories, increasing cardiovascular death risk by 50%.
  • A recent BMJ study ties these foods to 32 adverse health outcomes, including diabetes and mental disorders.
  • The effort follows a Trump-era report identifying ultra-processed foods as a major cause of childhood chronic diseases.
  • A public Request for Information will help establish strict definitions, aiming to curb deceptive industry practices.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a joint initiative this week to establish the first-ever federal definition of ultra-processed foods—a category linked to obesity, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Led by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, the effort seeks to rein in an industry responsible for roughly 70% of packaged foods and over 60% of children’s daily calories, which studies tie to a 50% higher risk of cardiovascular death. The alarming statistics paint a disturbing picture: ultra-processed foods dominate grocery shelves, infiltrating school lunches, fast-food chains, and household pantries while silently fueling a public health disaster. With no existing federal standard to classify these products, the agencies are now demanding transparency, accountability, and ultimately, a pathway to reclaiming America’s nutritional sovereignty.

A national health emergency

The urgency of this initiative cannot be overstated. A February 2024 review in The BMJ analyzed 45 studies involving 9.8 million participants and found that ultra-processed foods are associated with 32 adverse health outcomes, including a 12% higher risk of Type 2 diabetes and a 48–53% spike in anxiety and mental disorders. Cardiovascular mortality rates alone jump by 50% among frequent consumers. “Ultra-processed foods are driving our chronic disease epidemic,” Kennedy declared in the joint statement. “We must act boldly to eliminate the root causes of chronic illness and improve the health of our food supply.” The campaign builds on the findings of the Make Our Children Healthy Again Assessment, a May 22 report by the Trump-established MAHA Commission, which identified ultra-processed foods as a primary culprit in childhood chronic diseases. With kids deriving more than 60% of their calories from these products—which are often loaded with synthetic additives, stabilizers, and industrial byproducts—the federal push aims to dismantle a profit-driven system that prioritizes shelf life over human life.

Defining the problem

Currently, the U.S. lacks a standardized definition for ultra-processed foods, allowing manufacturers to obscure the true nature of their products behind vague labels like “natural” or “fortified.” The joint Request for Information (RFI) seeks public and scientific input to come up with a clear, enforceable benchmark. FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary echoed the sentiment, calling the scientific evidence against ultra-processed foods “clear and convincing.” The agency’s Nutrition Regulatory Science Program will further investigate health impacts, while parallel efforts like the April 22 phaseout of petroleum-based food dyes signal a broader crackdown on chemical-laden consumables. Critics argue that food giants have long exploited regulatory loopholes to market addictive, nutrient-stripped products as harmless conveniences. From sugary cereals masquerading as “whole grain” to snack bars packed with industrial emulsifiers, the industry’s playbook mirrors Big Tobacco’s historic denialism. The Trump administration’s actions, however, suggest a turning point. Following the synthetic dye ban, companies like General Mills and Kraft Heinz pledged reformulations in proof that federal pressure can force change. Yet without strict definitions, watchdog groups warn, corporations will simply rebrand rather than reform. The RFI, set for publication in the Federal Register on July 24, invites stakeholders to weigh in on criteria for defining ultra-processed foods. Key questions include: Should processing methods dictate classification? How should additives factor in? And what role should marketing claims play?

A fight for the future

With healthcare costs soaring and lifespans declining, the status quo is unsustainable. As Kennedy emphasized, defining ultra-processed foods isn’t just bureaucratic box-checking; it’s the foundation for “improved and more informed consumer choice.” For parents, the stakes are existential. Children born today face shorter life expectancies than their parents, thanks in part to diets hijacked by hyper-palatable, chemically engineered junk. The MAHA Commission’s findings underscore that reality, linking childhood obesity, asthma, and neurodevelopmental disorders to industrialized food. The USDA and HHS vow to include farmers and agricultural workers in the dialogue, ensuring the policy respects producers while prioritizing public health. But the message is unambiguous: Profits cannot outweigh the moral imperative to safeguard the next generation. Sources for this article include: TheEpochTimes.com HHS.gov USNews.com
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