FDA to crack down on ultra-processed foods after landmark petition

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is set to respond to a petition targeting ultra-processed foods (UPFs). Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr confirmed the agency will take action on the request from former FDA commissioner David Kessler. The move comes as concerns grow over the health impacts of these widely consumed products.

Kessler's petition calls for the FDA to revoke the 'Generally Recognised As Safe' (GRAS) status of dozens of processed refined carbohydrates. These ingredients are commonly found in UPFs, which now account for 55% of the average American's calorie intake. The petition also urges stricter limits on their use in the food industry.

Meanwhile, the FDA is working on a formal definition for UPFs. This step follows rising public alarm, with 72% of Americans actively trying to cut these foods from their diets. Another 79% view them as a major health risk, linked by experts to chronic diseases and shorter lifespans.

Congress is also weighing in, debating a bill that would ban UPF marketing to children and mandate warning labels. The proposed law reflects growing pressure to curb the influence of these products on young consumers.

The FDA's response to Kessler's petition could lead to tighter regulations on UPFs. If successful, the changes may reduce their presence in supermarkets and limit exposure among vulnerable groups. The outcome will depend on how the agency defines and classifies these widely used ingredients.