The Department of Health and Human Services, (HHS) the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week released a joint request for information to formulate a federal definition of ultraprocessed foods.
The agencies said they are concerned that the foods are contributing to “chronic disease that is plaguing America.” They said a crucial stop in addressing the problem is gathering information from business and industry to help establish a federally recognized uniform definition for ultra-processed foods.
The announcement did not specify what, if any, action would be taken to control processed foods once a definition is established.
“Ultra-processed foods are driving our chronic disease epidemic,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “We must act boldly to eliminate the root causes of chronic illness and improve the health of our food supply. Defining ultra-processed foods with a clear, uniform standard will empower us even more to Make America Healthy Again.”
The RFI will publish in the Federal Register July 24, seeking responses on what criteria and factors should be included in the definition. A standard definition will be used to advance research and policy recommendations to address the tie between ultraprocessed foods and public health, according to the announcement.
NCC looks forward to providing comments.
