[MONDAY MINUTE] Ultra-Processed Foods: CONFUSING New Battleground for the FDA

Let’s face it…there’s A LOT of terminology associated with ultra-processed foods. You have industrialized ingredients like certain seed oils or sugars like high fructose corn syrup. Then, there are the lab synthesized ingredients like artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners. So, in an effort to improve public health and nutrition policies, the FDA is collaborating with the USDA to develop the first federal definition of ultra-processed foods. How long will this procedure take? Well…let’s just all hope it’s less time than the eight years the FDA recently took to update the definition of “healthy.” But interestingly enough, Americans don’t technically need further definition clarification, as surveys show most don’t even pay much attention to ensuring they avoid these controversial food components. Instead, affordability and enjoyment continue to be the strongest drivers of food and beverage consumption.