Experts Urge RFK Jr. to Establish Official Definition of Ultraprocessed Foods

October 23, 2026 - 22:11

More than 100 science, medical and nutrition experts signed and sent an open letter Friday to the Office of Management and Budget, urging the administration to release the first-ever government definition of ultraprocessed foods.

The letter calls on Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Department of Health and Human Services to act quickly, arguing that the absence of a formal definition has stalled research and confused consumers. The signatories include researchers from leading universities, physicians and public health advocates who say clear terminology is needed before any policy can move forward.

Ultraprocessed foods currently lack a standardized federal description, even though the category has become central to debates about diet and chronic disease. Different researchers and agencies use competing frameworks, which the experts say creates inconsistency in labeling, regulation and dietary guidance.

The letter notes that the upcoming Dietary Guidelines for Americans, expected later this year, offer a key opportunity to codify a definition. Without one, the group warns, recommendations risk being vague or unenforceable.

The experts also point to growing evidence linking high consumption of ultraprocessed foods to obesity, diabetes and heart disease. They argue that a formal definition would help regulators evaluate front-of-package labeling rules and school meal standards.

The Office of Management and Budget has not publicly responded to the letter. Kennedy has previously criticized ultraprocessed foods and pledged to address them as part of his broader health agenda, though specifics remain limited.