Pork producers are raising concerns over potential federal guidelines from the MAHA Commission that could classify certain foods as “ultra-processed,” a designation they say may unfairly impact popular pork products.
The Missouri Pork Association warns that the proposed definition focuses heavily on processing level rather than nutritional value, which could place products such as sausage and certain bacon products in a challenging regulatory category.
“Under that definition, sausages, possibly even some bacons, could end up in the ultra-processed category,” said Hays with the Missouri Pork Association. “That’s where we start to have a problem. When you don’t consider the nutritional value and only talk about the amount of processing, you’re leaving a lot of important information out.”
Hays says the concern extends well beyond how pork products are labeled on grocery store shelves. Processing, he notes, has long been used to improve food safety and extend shelf life, practices the industry considers essential.
“We’ve used processing for years for food safety reasons and for shelf-life reasons, and we need to continue that,” Hays said. “What some folks don’t realize is that the MAHA movement could dig back into animal feeds. So we have some concerns there.”
While no final decision has been made on how “ultra-processed” foods will ultimately be defined, the pork industry says it is closely monitoring the issue and actively engaging with federal agencies as discussions continue.
Industry leaders say they hope policymakers will consider both nutritional value and long-standing food safety practices as any new guidelines are developed.
New SDRP funding and expanded loss programs give producers additional tools to rebuild cash flow and stabilize operations after two years of severe weather losses.
November 18, 2025 11:56 AM
·
The new WOTUS proposal narrows federal jurisdiction, restores key agricultural exclusions, and gives farmers clearer permitting rules after years of regulatory uncertainty.
November 18, 2025 10:58 AM
·
UMN Extension’s Emily Krekelberg outlines today’s top farm stressors, key signs of mental health distress in rural communities, and the resources available for support.
November 17, 2025 03:12 PM
·
National Pork Board Chief Sustainability Officer Jamie Burr shares a closer look at the Pork Checkoff’s Pork Cares Farm Impact Report, a research program to increase trust in the pork supply chain.
November 17, 2025 02:03 PM
·
Brooks York with Agrisompo joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report with some guidance on how producers can navigate their crop insurance claims for unsold grain crops.
November 17, 2025 01:46 PM
·
For many farm businesses, property taxes on business assets have become a significant and highly visible expense, threatening liquidity, discouraging investment, and creating a disproportionate burden when compared to other industries.
November 17, 2025 01:34 PM
·
Tariff relief may soften grocery prices, but it also intensifies competition for U.S. fruit, vegetable, and beef producers as cheaper imports regain market share.
November 17, 2025 01:20 PM
·
While agriculture doesn’t predict every recession, the sector’s long history of turning down before the broader economy
November 16, 2025 12:00 PM
·
The ACRE Act modestly reduces farmland borrowing costs now, with more savings possible once federal guidance clarifies which loans qualify.
November 15, 2025 03:00 PM
·
