FDA Moves to Define Ultraprocessed Foods, Potentially Shaping National Nutrition Policy

The federal government is preparing to introduce an official definition of ultraprocessed foods—a broad category encompassing many snacks, ready meals, and beverages that have become staples in the American diet.

Experts in nutrition typically characterize ultraprocessed foods as industrially produced items containing ingredients rarely found in home kitchens, such as high-fructose corn syrup or hydrogenated oils. These products frequently include artificial flavors, sweeteners, and emulsifiers that enhance taste and prolong shelf life.

In developing its definition, the government may consider factors such as the presence of additives and chemicals, the total number of ingredients, and the overall nutritional profile. This classification could influence policies governing school meals, federal nutrition assistance programs like SNAP, and recommendations on limiting consumption of ultraprocessed foods within national dietary guidelines. The Food and Drug Administration is spearheading this initiative in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other agencies, with plans to invite public input before finalizing the definition.

FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary expressed that the forthcoming definition might motivate manufacturers to label their products as “non-ultraprocessed” to attract health-conscious consumers, similar to current marketing practices highlighting the absence of added sugars.

“Our goal is not to ban ultraprocessed foods,” Dr. Makary explained. “Rather, we want to establish clear definitions that enable markets to compete based on healthfulness.”

Growing consumer awareness about the health risks linked to ultraprocessed foods—which include many breakfast cereals, instant noodles, protein bars, meal replacement shakes, flavored yogurts, and processed meats like hot dogs—has fueled interest in such regulatory efforts. Scientific studies have increasingly associated these foods with adverse health outcomes, including Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, certain cancers, and digestive disorders.