What Makes a Food Ultraprocessed? The FDA Is About to Weigh In.

The federal government plans to develop a new definition of ultraprocessed foods, a wide-ranging group of snacks, meals and drinks that have become a cornerstone of the American diet.

Nutrition researchers generally define ultraprocessed foods as industrially manufactured products that include ingredients you wouldn’t find in your own kitchen, like high-fructose corn syrup or hydrogenated oils. The products also often contain artificial flavors, sweeteners and emulsifiers that make them appealing to consumers and can give them a longer shelf life.

In crafting its own definition, the government could examine the chemicals and additives put in foods, the number of ingredients in a product or its overall nutritional content. That description could then be used to shape school lunch policy, regulate the foods available through federal services like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or make recommendations about limiting ultraprocessed food consumption in the U.S. dietary guidelines. The Food and Drug Administration, which is leading the effort in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other agencies, plans to seek public comment before setting a definition in the coming months.

Dr. Marty Makary, the commissioner of the F.D.A., said he expected the definition would encourage companies to label foods as “non-ultraprocessed” to entice customers, similar to how food manufacturers market their products as being free from added sugars.

“We do not see ultraprocessed foods as foods to be banned,” he said. “We see them as foods to be defined so that markets can compete based on health.”

The idea that consumers may go out of their way to avoid these items reflects growing concerns about the potential harms of ultraprocessed foods, which include many breakfast cereals, instant noodles, protein bars, meal-replacement shakes, flavored yogurts, hot dogs and more. Scientists have increasingly linked ultraprocessed foods to poor health outcomes, such as Type 2 diabetes, heart issues, some types of cancers and gastrointestinal issues.

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