Federal agencies struggle to agree ultraprocessed food definition
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 3
Federal agencies struggle to agree ultraprocessed food definition
7 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 3
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told Congress in mid-April the FDA had sent a draft to agencies including the Agriculture Department, but officials say timing remains unclear.
Calley Means, a senior Kennedy adviser, said the final definition would follow hundreds of discussions with scientists, agency staff and other stakeholders.
The outcome is central to Kennedy's Make America Healthy Again agenda and could reshape the food industry, with one scientific standard classifying nearly three-quarters of US foods as ultraprocessed.
Could a new 'ultraprocessed' food definition accidentally label some healthy foods as unhealthy?
With new food labels and weight-loss drugs looming, is the snack industry facing an existential crisis?
Missed 2026 Deadline Highlights Deep Divisions Over Defining Ultra-Processed Foods in U.S. Policy
Overview
The federal government missed its April 2026 deadline to define ultra-processed foods (UPFs) due to disagreements among the FDA, USDA, and HHS, complicated by intense industry lobbying favoring a nutrient-based definition. This deadlock stalled Health Secretary Kennedy's proposed front-of-package labeling and led states to pursue their own UPF regulations, creating a patchwork of rules. Scientific debates continue over how to classify UPFs, with systems like NOVA and SIGA offering different approaches. Meanwhile, consumers remain confused by inconsistent messaging. The delay impacts national dietary guidelines, labeling efforts, and global trade, pushing a likely compromise and federal definition to late 2026 or 2027.