Feds Target Ultra-Processed Foods in Bold Health Push

HHS, FDA, USDA Seek Definition to Combat Chronic Disease Crisis

Under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins, the FDA and USDA launched a joint Request for Information (RFI) to define “ultra-processed foods,” a key driver of America’s chronic disease epidemic.

With 70% of U.S. packaged foods classified as ultra-processed and children deriving over 60% of their calories from them, studies link these products to obesity, diabetes, and cancer.

The RFI, published today in the Federal Register, aims to establish a uniform federal definition to enhance consumer transparency and guide policy.

Kennedy called the move a step to “eliminate the root causes of chronic illness,” while Rollins emphasized including farmers in the conversation.

This initiative, part of the “Make America Healthy Again” campaign, signals a transformative approach to public health, prioritizing informed consumer choices to curb diet-related diseases.