RFK Jr. Targets Ultra-Processed Foods
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced plans to challenge the food industry's use of processed ingredients like corn syrup and maltodextrin. Former FDA Commissioner David Kessler stated these ultra-processed products have been "making people sick for decades," signaling possible regulatory changes ahead. US health regulators will consider the safety status of processed ingredients.
- The "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) provision was established by Congress in 1958 to exempt substances with a long history of safe use in food from formal pre-market review by the FDA. - In 1997, the FDA proposed a notification system, which allows food manufacturers to determine for themselves that an ingredient is safe and voluntarily notify the agency, a shift from the previous petition process. - Ultra-processed foods account for more than half of the calories consumed by the average American adult and over two-thirds of the calories consumed by children. - Excessive intake of high-fructose corn syrup has been linked to an increased risk of several health issues, including fatty liver disease, obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. - Maltodextrin has a higher glycemic index than table sugar, which can cause sharp spikes in blood sugar, and some studies suggest it may negatively affect gut bacteria. - Poor diets are a significant driver of healthcare costs in the U.S., with one study estimating they contribute to $50 billion annually in costs related to heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Another analysis estimates the total economic cost of four major nutrition-related chronic diseases was $16 trillion from 2011-2020. - A 2024 review of 45 meta-analyses covering nearly 10 million people found that a diet high in ultra-processed foods was linked to a 50% increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease and a 48% increased risk of anxiety.
