As the FDA, HHS, and USDA focus on the health impacts of ultra-processed foods, food and beverage manufacturers are entering a new era of heightened regulatory scrutiny and increased consumer transparency. With a formal definition in development and future labeling implications on the horizon, understanding how “ultra-processed” might be classified is essential for staying compliant — and competitive. In this blog, we’ll break down what the agencies’ recent announcement means, how it could reshape nutrition labeling, and how Datacor can help you prepare.
Ultra processed foods have become one of the most discussed topics in nutrition policy, but until recently the term had no official standing in U.S. regulation. Generally, ultra processed foods are those that:
Contain industrial ingredients like refined starches, oils, flavorings, emulsifiers, or colorants
Undergo multiple manufacturing steps beyond traditional preservation or cooking
Include additives designed to modify flavor, texture, or appearance rather than serve a functional role in nutrition
With growing research connecting high UPF consumption to chronic conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes, U.S. regulators are stepping in to explore how to define and address the issue.
The joint statement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) highlights growing concerns over the role of ultra-processed foods in the American diet.
The agencies cite research showing that most packaged foods, or roughly 70 percent, are ultra processed, and that children receive more than 60 percent of their daily calories from these products. Growing evidence links high consumption of ultra processed foods with an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other chronic illnesses.
This joint action underscores the federal government’s broader goal: improving dietary quality, transparency, and public health through science-based policy.
The Request for Information (RFI) is designed to gather public input that will help federal agencies develop a consistent, evidence-based definition of ultra-processed foods.
The agencies note that there is currently no federal definition, and that a unified approach would help guide research, policy, labeling, and dietary guidance.
Key details from the announcement include:
Objective: Establish a uniform federal definition of “ultra-processed foods” based on sound science and stakeholder input.
Scope: Inform future research, nutrition guidance, and regulatory actions by developing shared terminology.
Public Health Focus: Address diet-related chronic diseases by identifying the role of processing in health outcomes.
Collaborative Approach: Coordinate efforts across HHS, FDA, and USDA to ensure consistency in messaging and policy.
Public Engagement: Solicit feedback and evidence from food manufacturers, health professionals, academics, and consumers.
This marks the first coordinated federal initiative to explore how food processing levels relate to health, and how that relationship should be communicated on packaging or in guidance.
For food manufacturers, the RFI represents both a signal and an opportunity.
While the agencies are not yet proposing regulatory changes, the process of defining “ultra-processed” could influence how products are categorized, labeled, and perceived in the marketplace.
By seeking input now, the FDA and its partners are inviting stakeholders, including manufacturers, industry groups, and labeling experts, to help shape a definition that is practical, measurable, and evidence-based.
Why your input matters:
Manufacturers have firsthand knowledge of formulation, processing methods, and ingredient functionality.
Sharing data and perspectives during the RFI period can ensure any future definitions reflect real-world operations and constraints.
Participation helps brands stay proactively engaged, rather than reacting to finalized policy down the road.
Although this initiative is still in the information-gathering stage, it points toward future shifts that food brands should begin preparing for.
Here are a few areas where the FDA’s actions may have downstream effects:
For companies committed to data-driven labeling and formulation, preparing now means fewer surprises when new guidance emerges.
At Datacor, we help food and beverage manufacturers streamline formulation management and create accurate, FDA-ready nutrition labels, all in one unified system. As new regulatory definitions take shape, our tools give your team the visibility and flexibility to adapt with confidence.
Here’s how Datacor Nutrition Labeling supports your business as FDA guidance evolves: