Table of Contents
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services announced two actions aimed at modernizing federal oversight of food ingredients and establishing a scientific foundation for future nutrition policy, headlined by the HHS ultra-processed food definition proposal submitted alongside USDA for final review.
What the HHS Ultra-Processed Food Definition Proposal Actually Does
HHS and USDA submitted for final review the federal government’s first proposed definition of ultra-processed foods, or UPFs. Although research has linked high consumption of UPFs to preventable chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease, the absence of a standardized federal definition has limited research consistency across the federal government.
How the Definition Was Developed
The proposed definition incorporates feedback from thousands of stakeholders, including industry, consumer organizations, researchers and members of the public, according to HHS.
The Companion GRAS Notification Rule Alongside This Definition
HHS also proposed a rule requiring manufacturers to notify the FDA when concluding that the use of a substance added to human or animal food is Generally Recognized as Safe, or GRAS. Since Congress established the GRAS exemption in 1958, manufacturers have been permitted to reach their own conclusions that certain substances are safe under the conditions of their intended use, and while FDA has long operated voluntary notification programs, companies have not been required to notify the agency when making these determinations.
What This Rule Would Change
The proposed rule would modernize that framework by making GRAS notifications mandatory and expanding the public-facing inventory of submitted notices, significantly improving transparency while strengthening FDA’s ability to oversee ingredients entering the food supply. For substances already on the market based on industry self-GRAS conclusions, the proposal would establish a time-limited streamlined submission pathway that would allow manufacturers to provide FDA with information about existing uses, enabling the agency to prioritize post-market safety evaluations while minimizing unnecessary regulatory burden.
How Officials Are Framing the HHS Ultra-Processed Food Definition
“Nearly 60% of the American diet is made up of ultra-processed foods, and childhood obesity now affects more than one in five American children,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “We cannot reverse America’s chronic disease epidemic without transforming our food system. These historic actions bring greater transparency to what’s in our food and stronger science to federal nutrition policy.”
Statements From USDA and FDA Leadership
“Secretary Kennedy has brought renewed attention to the food all Americans have been eating, and this action will bring greater transparency for consumers choosing their ingredients,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. Acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas added that the mandatory GRAS notifications close “critical information gaps” and give the agency “greater visibility into substances entering the food supply,” while the UPF definition seeks to “create a stronger foundation for future nutrition research.”
How This Fits the Broader MAHA Policy Agenda
Today’s actions further implement the Trump Administration’s Make America Healthy Again Strategy Report and build on recent efforts to strengthen nutrition science, improve transparency and modernize oversight of the nation’s food supply. HHS also encouraged Congress to build on these efforts through legislation that further strengthens the safety of the American food supply.
Why a Standardized Definition Matters for Research
Establishing a single federal definition of ultra-processed foods addresses a longstanding methodological gap researchers have cited when studying the connection between UPF consumption and chronic disease, since inconsistent definitions across studies have historically made it difficult to compare findings or build cumulative evidence across the federal research apparatus.
What This HHS Ultra-Processed Food Definition Proposal Means Going Forward
With both the UPF definition and the mandatory GRAS notification rule now advancing through federal review processes, food manufacturers should prepare for a more transparent regulatory environment governing both ingredient safety determinations and how their products may eventually be classified under nutrition policy and labeling frameworks. Given that the UPF definition incorporated feedback from thousands of stakeholders across industry, consumer groups, and researchers, the final version may reflect meaningful compromise between these sometimes competing interests as it moves toward implementation.
What to Watch Going Forward
As these proposals move through the federal rulemaking process, food and animal feed manufacturers, researchers, and consumer advocacy groups will likely watch closely for the specific criteria included in the final ultra-processed food definition, given its potential downstream implications for labeling, marketing, and future nutrition policy. Given HHS’s explicit call for Congress to build on these efforts through additional legislation, this HHS ultra-processed food definition proposal may represent an initial step in a broader, multi-year regulatory push affecting both human food and animal feed oversight.
For more healthcare industry updates, insights and news, visit DistilINFO. Click here to subscribe to stay informed.
