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:

California rancher and former NCBA President Kevin Kester joined House Republicans on Tuesday to tout provisions in the Big, Beautiful Bill that support family ranches.
The EPA proposal laid out two options: fully reallocate all exempted volumes to the 2026–2027 standards, or reallocate half.
The Fertilizer Research Act, reintroduced by Sens. Grassley, Ernst, and Baldwin, would direct the USDA to study and publish public reports on competition and pricing trends in the fertilizer market.
Allowing year-round sales of E15 nationally could deliver billions in economic gains, according to a new study from the Renewable Fuels Association and National Corn Growers Association.
U.S. aquaculture may gain competitive ground as harmful subsidies are phased out abroad, but producers should monitor shifts in import supply chains and trade enforcement closely.
Producers may need to prepare for margin pressure in livestock feeding, while dairy farmers could benefit from stronger product demand.