US may require warning labels on junk food as health crisis grows

The US government may soon push for stricter rules on unhealthy food marketing and labelling. A new report links highly processed foods to rising rates of chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart conditions. Officials are now considering warnings on products with excessive salt, sugar, and fat—similar to laws already in place in five other countries. Chile introduced mandatory front-of-package warning labels in 2016. These black octagonal symbols flag products high in salt, sugar, saturated fat, or calories. The law also restricts junk food ads aimed at children, leading to a 73% drop in their exposure to such marketing.

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is now exploring similar measures. Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has signalled plans to crack down on junk food ads targeting young audiences. However, any proposal for warning labels or ad restrictions could face pushback from food manufacturers and legal hurdles. Meanwhile, some companies are already making changes. Walmart, Tyson Foods, and Coca-Cola have pledged to reduce or remove certain ingredients from their products. The Consumer Brands Association has also set a 2027 deadline for members to phase out artificial food dyes. A recent report from the *Make America Healthy Again* commission highlights the role of ultra-processed foods in driving diet-related illnesses. Poor diets are linked to conditions like hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, putting pressure on policymakers to act.

If the HHS moves forward with warning labels or ad restrictions, it would align the US with countries like Chile, where such policies have already shifted consumer behaviour. Food manufacturers may resist, but some have already begun reformulating products. The outcome could reshape how unhealthy foods are marketed and sold in the coming years.