What qualifies as “ultra-processed foods”? MAHA researchers want a final definition

Researchers with the Make America Healthy Again Commission say clearer definitions are needed before they can further study ultra-processed foods.

They want a formal definition of what qualifies as an ultra-processed food. The MAHA advisory panel of nutritionists says progress is stalled without one. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says USDA will help in the effort to define those foods.

Secretary Kennedy has advocated for more research, saying ultra-processed foods contribute to chronic disease in the United States.

Related Stories
Sen. Roger Marshall joins us in honor of National Ag Day to share legislative updates, highlight key policy victories, and initiatives supporting farmers and rural communities he is championing in Washington.
New guidance supports transparency, consumer trust, and American ranchers
Nutrition policy shifts may influence retail demand across agriculture.
Glyphosate and phosphorus are deemed critical to U.S. national defense, ensuring farmers’ access while signaling a shift toward regenerative agriculture. RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney shares insight on the Trump Administration’s move and what it could mean for U.S. farmers moving forward.
Ag leaders say President Donald Trump’s State of the Union is unlikely to spark major agriculture headlines, but ongoing tariff uncertainty and trade policy remain key concerns, as does the debate around glyphosate and the status of the next Farm Bill.
University of Nebraska President Dr. Jeffrey Gold discusses the ongoing measles outbreak in the United States and the importance of vaccination awareness on this week’s Rural Health Matters.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Jack Daniel’s will end its Cow Feeder Program, which served around 100 livestock operations near the distillery, and redirect spent grains to its anaerobic digester.
Prepare for acute UAN risk and a brief urea shock; maintain steady ammonia and phosphate plans, and monitor potash basis on the coasts.
Software developers at John Deere Digital are addressing challenges with their new Operations Center, which helps farmers make decisions on the fly.
“A government shutdown impacts all Americans and has serious consequences, including for farmers. It just adds additional uncertainty, disrupts critical services.”
On Champions of Rural America, Rep. Dusty Johnson underscores the Western Caucus’ ongoing commitment to advocating for farmers and rural communities.