The Trump administration is taking a major step toward reining in ultra-processed foods. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins launched a new effort to define these products—and confront their growing role in America’s chronic health problems.
Key Facts:
- HHS and USDA issued a Request for Information (RFI) to create a uniform definition for ultra-processed foods.
- RFK Jr. called ultra-processed foods a major driver of America’s chronic disease epidemic.
- Roughly 70% of packaged U.S. foods are considered ultra-processed, according to HHS.
- American children get over 60% of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods.
- The RFI is open to the public until September 23 via the Federal Register.
The Rest of The Story:
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), led by Secretary Brooke Rollins, are launching a coordinated effort to formally define “ultra-processed foods.”
This is a foundational step aimed at empowering the public with clearer information on the health impact of these products.
As it stands, the U.S. government has no official, uniform definition for ultra-processed foods—despite their dominance in American diets and links to major health concerns.
Kennedy explained the move by saying, “Ultra-processed foods are driving our chronic disease epidemic… We must act boldly to eliminate the root causes of chronic illness and improve the health of our food supply.”
The initiative involves a formal Request for Information (RFI), now available in the Federal Register, which asks researchers, health experts, and the public to weigh in on what factors should go into the definition.
The goal is to create a standard that policymakers, scientists, and industry leaders can use to drive change.
According to HHS, dozens of studies link ultra-processed food consumption to conditions like cancer, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
USDA Secretary Rollins added that a common definition is “long overdue” and that farmers and producers will “be part of the conversation.”
This effort is just one part of a broader initiative under the “Make America Healthy Again” banner.
Another major policy change announced this week involves removing thimerosal—a mercury-based preservative—from all U.S. flu vaccines, following safety guidance from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
🇺🇸 MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN!
The Trump Administration delivers on MAHA: Dozens of ice cream brands drop artificial colors, joining major companies in improving our food supply! 💪⬇️ pic.twitter.com/NdR4u4pAya
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 15, 2025
Commentary:
For decades, ultra-processed foods have quietly taken over our grocery stores, school lunches, and family dinner tables.
Roughly 70% of what Americans find in the center aisles of supermarkets fits into this category.
And what’s more alarming—children are getting the bulk of their calories from these foods.
This isn’t just a nutrition issue—it’s a national health crisis.
We’re talking about products packed with synthetic additives, engineered flavors, refined sugars, and shelf-life-extending chemicals.
These aren’t simply “unhealthy snacks.” They’re ticking time bombs for long-term illness.
The data speaks volumes: links to heart disease, diabetes, cancer, obesity, and even neurological issues have been documented across study after study.
And yet, for too long, food processors and corporate lobbyists have had free rein, with little government pushback or meaningful transparency.
A formal definition may seem like a small step, but it’s a foundational one.
Without clarity, there’s no accountability.
No standard for researchers, no guidance for parents, and no pressure on manufacturers to change course.
Kennedy and Rollins are right to pursue this.
It’s long overdue. Americans deserve to know what they’re putting in their bodies.
Just as importantly, they deserve policies that prioritize public health over profit margins.
We applaud the leadership in making this a federal priority.
If this results in clearer food labeling, smarter school lunch programs, and a pivot toward truly nutritious options, it will mark a turning point in the battle for America’s health.
The Bottom Line:
A new federal push aims to formally define ultra-processed foods—many of which dominate American diets and are linked to chronic diseases.
Health Secretary RFK Jr. and USDA Secretary Rollins hope this effort sparks meaningful reform in food policy and public awareness.
With nearly three-quarters of U.S. packaged foods falling into the ultra-processed category, the stakes for our nation’s health couldn’t be higher.
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