Ultra-processed foods are coming under more attention as Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr. leads a campaign against them. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and his supporters say these often tasty foods contribute to chronic diseases in the U.S.
But what exactly is an ultra-processed food? There isn’t a single definition that everyone agrees on.
Many ice creams, chips, and sodas are considered ultra-processed. However, other foods that can be part of a healthy diet also fall into this category, like tofu, some canned fruits and vegetables, protein bars, cereals, and nut milks.
“These are all quite processed and some of them can be classified as ultra-processed foods, but because of their nutrient profiles, they might be better for us and not associated with the worst health outcomes,” said Michele Polacsek, a professor of public health at the University of New England who studies healthy food choices.
Does that mean these foods will be targeted, too? Probably not, said Marion Nestle, a nutrition expert and emeritus professor at New York University.
General Mills announced on June 16, 2025, that it plans to remove synthetic dyes from its U.S. cereals and K-12 school food by summer 2026, with a complete removal across all U.S. retail products by the end of 2027. This applies to just 15% of their retail items, since 85% are already free of artificial dyes.
“That would be impossible because of the way Americans eat,” Nestle said, noting that research shows more than 70% of American calories come from ultra-processed foods.
Ultra-processed foods, or UPFs, are made by food companies using manufactured ingredients rather than whole foods. If you’ve looked at some food labels, you may not recognize many of the ingredients listed. These are often added to make food “taste better, look better, and last longer on the shelf,” Nestle said.
Research shows UPFs can replace healthier foods and encourage people to eat more calories. They have been linked to about 30 health problems, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, and mental health disorders, according to a 2024 study published in the British Medical Journal.
In May, Kennedy and his “Make America Healthy Again” commission focused on ultra-processed foods in a 69-page report.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said in a July 23 statement that it is seeking information and data to help create an official definition of ultra-processed foods.
While this is a good start, Polacsek said not all UPFs are the same, and there isn’t enough information to know which ingredients or processing methods cause health problems.
“We don’t have all the evidence we need,” she said. “We need a lot more research on this.”
Polacsek warned that it would be a mistake to create policy based on the current data. But if the government makes rules using a universal definition, she hopes agencies will also fund research on how these foods affect public health and the food industry.
In the meantime, Nestle suggests eating fewer ultra-processed foods, while remembering that some of them contain nutrients that can fit into a healthy diet.
A 2023 study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture showed it is possible to have a healthy diet with 91% of calories coming from ultra-processed foods. However, the diet was high in sodium and low in whole grains.
“The basic principle of healthy eating is variety,” Nestle said. “If you eat many kinds of foods, and most of them are minimally processed, you’re doing fine.”
“Food is one of life’s greatest pleasures, so it’s really important to enjoy what you eat.”
