Ultra-Processed Foods

The U.S. faces a growing epidemic of preventable diet-related chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity. Researchers have found links between the consumption of highly processed foods (commonly called ultra-processed foods, or UPFs) and a range of negative health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, obesity and certain cancers. It is estimated that 70% of the U.S. food supply is comprised of foods commonly considered ultra-processed, and that children get over 60% of their calories from such foods.

Accelerating Research

While a substantial body of research has been conducted on UPFs, there are still many unanswered questions about how and why consumption of these foods may harm people’s health. The FDA is committed to accelerating research on ultra-processed foods to help answer these questions.  

In May 2025, the FDA announced it was partnering with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on a joint Nutrition Regulatory Science Program. The program is, among other things, examining the role that consumption of ultra-processed foods may play in people’s health.  

Additional Actions  

The FDA is committed to taking action on foods that may be considered ultra-processed to help consumers improve their dietary patterns and reduce the prevalence of diet-related chronic disease. The FDA has taken the following actions to help address concerns associated with the consumption of UPFs:

• Defining UPFs: The FDA is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as part of a joint effort to develop a uniform definition of UPFs. Establishing a uniform definition will enable federal agencies and others to develop consistent policies and programs focused on UPFs. On July 24, 2025, the FDA and USDA issued a Request for Information to gather information and data from the public on a range of topics related to UPFs, including what factors and criteria should be included in a uniform definition of UPFs.
• Hosting the Nutrition Regulatory Science Workshop: In December 2024, the FDA and NIH hosted a workshop to highlight how nutrition science can generate evidence and data to inform food-related policy and regulatory decision making. The workshop included a specific session on UPFs.  

Helping to address concerns associated with the consumption of UPFs is a key element in fulfilling the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s commitment to Make America Healthy Again.