How Policymakers Can Take Action on Ultra-Processed Foods
Ultra-processed foods make up a large part of the U.S. diet and are linked to increased energy intake and a higher risk of health problems, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression, and anxiety.
To help policymakers take action, Healthy Eating Research convened a 14-member expert panel to focus on two key questions: how ultra-processed foods should be defined for policy purposes and which strategies could help cut down on the amount of ultra-processed food people eat in the United States.
The panel recommended using Nova as the starting point for defining ultra-processed foods. To make that definition easier to use in policy, the panel suggested looking for certain ingredients on food labels – including additives used to improve taste, texture, color, or appearance, as well as ingredients not commonly used in home cooking. The panel also recommended that some products classified as ultra-processed could be exempted from policy action if they meet modified FDA “healthy” criteria. Together, these recommendations would give policymakers a clearer and more practical way to identify ultra-processed foods and decide which products should be covered by specific policies.
As next steps, the panel identified several priority policy options, such as targeted taxes on certain ultra-processed foods, restrictions on purchasing and serving ultra-processed foods in publicly funded settings like schools and government facilities, countermarketing campaigns that highlight how ultra-processed foods are designed and marketed, dietary guidance to limit ultra-processed foods, and front-of-package labels identifying products as ultra-processed.
Additional policy options could be pursued over time, including retail restrictions, nutrition education, health warning labels, limits on price promotions, restrictions on marketing to children, and limits on health or nutrition claims on ultra-processed food packages.
The takeaway: policymakers need a clearer, evidence-informed way to define and address ultra-processed foods. These recommendations offer a practical starting point for reducing the amount of ultra-processed food people eat, improving the food supply, and protecting public health.
Read the full article published at HER
