Overview

• A CDC analysis of NHANES data from August 2021 to August 2023 shows ultraprocessed items made up 55% of calories for Americans aged 1 and older, including 53% for adults and 62% for children.
• The share of ultraprocessed calories has edged down modestly over the past decade, falling from about 56% to 55% among adults and from nearly 66% to 62% among children.
• Burgers and sandwiches, sweet baked goods, savory snacks, pizza and sweetened beverages remain the top sources of ultraprocessed calories in the American diet.
• Caloric intake from ultraprocessed foods varied by demographics, with low-income adults consuming more and those over 60 and young children consuming fewer of these products.
• The FDA and USDA have issued a request for information to craft a uniform definition of ultraprocessed foods, while several states are seeking SNAP waivers to limit benefit use on them.