Key Takeaway:
- Most Americans support stricter ultraprocessed foods regulation, including warning labels, advertising limits, and stronger safety testing.
- Scientists launched the “Fed UP!” campaign to educate consumers and push for policy changes targeting ultraprocessed foods.
- Research links high consumption of ultraprocessed foods to increased risks of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and dementia.
A new national survey finds most Americans support stronger regulation of ultraprocessed foods, including warning labels, advertising restrictions, and safety testing, as researchers launch a campaign urging government and industry action.
Poll reveals strong public demand for regulation
A majority of Americans across political parties support tougher oversight of ultraprocessed foods, according to a survey published Wednesday in the American Journal of Public Health.
The poll found that 77% of respondents favor mandatory large warning labels on ultraprocessed food packaging. Up to 70% support banning advertisements for such products on children’s television, while as many as 87% want government safety testing of laboratory-made food chemicals before they reach consumers.
The findings come as researchers launch “Fed UP!,” a public awareness campaign aimed at helping consumers understand ultraprocessed foods and advocate for healthier food policies. highlighting the need for effective ultraprocessed foods regulation.
“Families are asking important questions about how food is made, marketed, and regulated and how they can be a part of change,” said Ashley Gearhardt, a psychology professor at the University of Michigan and the survey’s senior author.
The campaign offers educational materials, research summaries, and guidance for citizens seeking policy changes at the local and state levels.
Scientists criticize slow government response
Researchers involved in the initiative argue that government and industry responses have failed to keep pace with growing evidence linking ultraprocessed foods to health problems.
Laura Schmidt, a professor at the University of California, San Francisco, said meaningful regulatory action remains limited despite years of research and public concern.
“We are not regulating enough chemical additives that go into ultraprocessed foods,” Schmidt said. “We don’t have transparency into how these foods are created. We don’t have a consumer warning label.”
Experts also criticized the federal government’s progress on ultraprocessed foods regulation and on defining these products. The Make America Healthy Again Commission previously pledged action on the issue but ultimately committed only to continuing efforts to establish a formal definition.
Researchers point to the food industry’s political influence as a barrier to reform. According to the study, ultraprocessed food companies spent approximately $1.15 billion on lobbying between 1999 and 2020.
Studies link foods to health risks
Scientists say the public health stakes are significant because ultraprocessed foods make up a large portion of the American diet.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 53% of U.S. adults and 62% of children ages 1 to 18 receive most of their calories from ultraprocessed foods.
Research cited in the journal links higher consumption of these products to increased risks of cardiovascular disease, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and cognitive decline. A companion study published Wednesday found nearly a 60% higher risk of dementia among adults who consumed the highest amounts of ultraprocessed foods, highlighting the need for stronger ultraprocessed foods regulation
“Conversely, we found lower risks of cognitive impairment and dementia for high vs. low consumers of minimally processed foods such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables,” said Cindy Leung, a public health nutrition professor at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Industry groups disputed claims that food processing alone is responsible for poor health outcomes. Carla Saunders, president of the Calorie Control Council, said public health discussions should focus on overall nutrition and scientific evidence rather than broad concerns about processing methods.
A spokesperson for the Consumer Brands Association said member companies comply with federal safety and nutrition standards while providing consumers with information needed to make informed choices.
Gearhardt said consumers should not need specialized expertise to identify healthier foods.
“People should not require a PhD in nutrition science to identify ultraprocessed foods,” she said.
