Overview
- The Trump administration’s updated dietary guidelines explicitly advise limiting ultra-processed foods for the first time in the United States, citing studies linking high intake to chronic disease.
- The FDA and USDA say they are developing a federal definition, while researchers caution that list-based rules invite loopholes and suggest defining permitted non‑UPF ingredients instead.
- A UK survey of 2,000 adults found 39% favor bans on ultra-processed foods and 77% support warning labels, with majorities calling for stronger government and supermarket action.
- Budget constraints and time pressures are major barriers, with 59% saying ultra-processed foods are hard to avoid on a budget and many reporting limited time to cook from scratch.
- Britain has enacted a ban on junk‑food advertising before 9pm on television and at any time online, signaling an early policy response.