After decades of persistent advocacy, the US government is beginning to address the significant health risks associated with ultra-processed foods (UPFs). Items such as potato chips, granola bars, cereals, frozen pizzas, and many types of store-bought bread fall into this category. Recent scientific studies have increasingly connected UPF consumption to a variety of health issues, including obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, and autoimmune disorders. While the classification of UPFs can sometimes be overly broad, there is an evident demand among consumers for greater transparency regarding the foods they purchase and consume.
In early 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), under the Biden administration, proposed a new policy aimed at combating the rising incidence of chronic diseases linked to UPF consumption. This policy would require food manufacturers to place new nutrition labels on the front of most packaged foods, alerting consumers to high levels of fat, sodium, and sugar typically found in UPFs. The newly appointed Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert Kennedy Jr., has expressed strong support for this initiative, labeling UPFs as “poison” and committing to reform in food labeling.
Several countries in Latin America and Europe have already implemented similar front-of-package nutrition labeling systems. In 2020, Mexico enacted a law mandating various warning labels on packaged foods and beverages, featuring black stop-sign-shaped icons that indicate excessive sugar, sodium, or saturated fats. Chile was the pioneer, introducing such regulations in 2012. The UK has a comparable system, although companies are not legally obligated to include these warnings. Although the US may be late to this important public health initiative, the positive outcomes observed in other countries provide hope for increased awareness about the nutritional hazards of UPFs, thereby encouraging manufacturers to produce healthier options.
While nutrition experts have praised the FDA's proposed policy, evidence suggests that simply adding warning labels to packaged foods may not significantly reduce the burden of chronic diseases. To achieve sustainable health improvements, systemic changes are necessary. Much of the research on the real-world effectiveness of front-of-package nutrition labels originates from Latin American countries, which have been at the forefront of UPF regulation due to their high rates of chronic diseases linked to these foods. Public health researchers have found that effectively designed labels can enhance consumer knowledge about food contents, leading to healthier choices.
For example, a 2024 study involving nearly 3,000 households in Chile revealed that consumers significantly reduced their purchase of products labeled high in sugar, calories, sodium, and fat, resulting in a remarkable 36.8% decrease in sugar consumption and a 23% reduction in calorie intake. However, not all studies confirm these positive outcomes. One study in Brazil indicated that while a warning label did help consumers identify UPFs, it did not affect their purchasing decisions or perceptions of healthfulness.
Another advantage of implementing nutrition labels on packaged foods is the market pressure it creates for UPF manufacturers to produce healthier options. Following the introduction of warning labels in Chile, the proportion of UPF products high in sugar dropped from 80% to 60%, while those high in sodium decreased from 74% to 27%. Similar initiatives in New Zealand and the Netherlands have prompted companies to reformulate their products to meet health standards, resulting in significant reductions in salt content and overall healthier offerings.
The FDA’s proposed nutrition labels differ from those used in Latin America. In Chile and Mexico, companies must use bold, black stop-sign icons to indicate high levels of fat, sugar, or sodium. Conversely, the FDA's labels would feature small black-and-white boxes on the front of packages, indicating low, medium, or high levels of certain nutrients. While this approach provides some context, it may not be intuitive for consumers to assess a product's overall healthfulness based on these metrics.
Critics, including Senator Bernie Sanders, have labeled the proposed FDA labels as “pathetically weak,” advocating for a more robust approach akin to the warning labels on cigarettes that explicitly state their health risks. Despite the improvements in consumer awareness resulting from these labels, there is still a disconnect between awareness and actual health outcomes. For instance, although Chile introduced nutrition warning labels in 2012, obesity rates have continued to rise, highlighting the need for comprehensive measures beyond labeling.
To genuinely reduce UPF consumption and enhance public health, systemic change is essential. Over 20 million Americans reside in food deserts, where access to healthy foods is limited. These areas tend to be low-income and rural, lacking the necessary food retailers and transportation options. Moreover, unprocessed or minimally processed foods are often significantly more expensive than UPFs, making healthy choices financially challenging for many.
To foster a healthier America, experts recommend improving health education in schools, raising the quality of school lunches, and ensuring that nutritious foods are accessible and affordable for all. The future of the FDA’s proposed legislation remains uncertain, especially under potential changes in administration. However, Kennedy's initiative to combat UPFs as part of his "Make America Healthy Again" campaign indicates a commitment to tackling this pressing issue.
In addition to mandating warning labels, experts argue that the FDA should also regulate misleading marketing claims made by UPF companies. Many products falsely labeled as “100 percent all natural” lead consumers to assume they contain no added sugars, despite the lack of a clear legal definition for “natural.” Comprehensive nutrition labels, alongside other policy changes such as banning harmful food additives, represent a crucial starting point in the journey toward healthier dietary choices.
