FDA faces pressure to crack down on ultra-processed foods after bold petition

A new push to regulate ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is gaining momentum in the US. Former FDA commissioner David Kessler has filed a petition urging the agency to revoke the safety status of key ingredients found in these products. The move comes as concerns grow over their impact on public health.

With UPFs making up over half of Americans' daily calories, the debate over their risks is intensifying. Now, the FDA must decide whether to act on Kessler's demands, while lawmakers consider stricter controls on marketing and labeling.

Kessler's petition targets dozens of ingredients, including corn syrup and other refined carbohydrates. He argues these substances cause metabolic harm and should no longer be classified as Generally Recognised As Safe (GRAS). Instead, he wants them redefined as additives, requiring proof of safety before they can remain on the market.

Public concern about UPFs is already high. A recent survey found 72% of Americans actively try to avoid them, while 79% see them as a major health threat. Children consume even more UPFs than adults, prompting some states to ban them from schools.

The government is now taking steps to address the issue. Congress is reviewing a bill that would restrict UPF marketing to children and introduce warning labels. Meanwhile, health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has confirmed the FDA will respond to Kessler's petition. However, the agency's final decision—and Kennedy's broader stance on UPF regulation—remains uncertain.

If successful, the petition could force food manufacturers to reformulate products or prove their ingredients are safe. The FDA's next steps will determine whether these widely used substances face tighter restrictions or remain in the food supply.

The FDA's response to Kessler's petition will shape the future of UPF regulation in the US. If the agency revokes the GRAS status of key ingredients, food companies may need to change recipes or provide new safety data. Meanwhile, proposed laws on marketing and labeling could further limit how these products reach consumers.

The outcome will affect both industry practices and public health policies. With UPFs forming a large part of American diets, any regulatory shift could have widespread consequences.