Ultraprocessed foods now constitute half of the average American’s diet, a trend that has raised alarming health concerns among experts. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Secretary of Health and Human Services, highlights the dual issue of obesity and malnutrition stemming from these products. He points to a longstanding governmental exemption that permits the use of ingredients deemed “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) without thorough federal approval. This loophole has led to a proliferation of potentially harmful ingredients in food items available on grocery shelves across the United States.
The GRAS exemption, established by Congress in 1958, allows manufacturers to independently confirm ingredient safety without government oversight if those ingredients are considered safe by qualified experts. Kennedy argues that this system has been exploited by the food industry, resulting in a market flooded with ultraprocessed foods containing between 4,000 and 10,000 unregulated ingredients. “There is no way for any American to know if a product is safe if it is ultraprocessed,” he stated.
Impact of Federal Policies on Food Choices
The underlying causes of the ultraprocessed food crisis can be traced back to federal agricultural policies. Food author Michael Pollan connects the prevalence of these foods to government subsidies that favor corn and soybean farmers. He explains that the subsidies contribute to a food system that prioritizes low-cost ingredients over nutritional value. “Cheap food is the goal of all governments,” Pollan noted, emphasizing that eliminating these subsidies could potentially raise food prices, impacting both consumers and the powerful agricultural lobby.
The Consumer Brands Association, representing major food manufacturers, defends the GRAS process as a means to foster innovation in response to consumer demands. They assert that food companies comply with the FDA’s science-based evaluation of ingredients both before and after products reach the marketplace.
Health Risks Linked to Ultraprocessed Foods
Experts warn that ultraprocessed foods pose significant health risks. According to Dr. David Kessler, former head of the FDA, these products are energy-dense and highly appealing, contributing to a surge in chronic health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Kessler explains that these foods are not merely “empty calories” but instead lead to fat accumulation in the liver, which can affect other organs and result in serious health issues.
Kennedy’s new dietary guidelines, issued last month, mark a significant shift as they advise against consuming highly processed foods. He pointed out that 70% of Americans are either overweight or obese, attributing this crisis not to personal failings but to the nutritional inadequacy of widely available foods. “It’s destroying our health,” he stated.
In response to these concerns, Kennedy claims that the administration is focused on making whole foods more affordable and accessible. Kessler, who has previously exposed the tobacco industry’s practices, suggests that ultraprocessed foods may represent an even greater public health challenge than tobacco due to their widespread consumption.
Kessler is advocating for the revocation of GRAS status for certain refined carbohydrates unless manufacturers can demonstrate their safety. Kennedy has expressed intentions to support this initiative, emphasizing the need for rigorous scientific evaluation of GRAS ingredients.
The issue has also attracted legal scrutiny. Ten manufacturers of ultraprocessed foods face a lawsuit filed by San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu, alleging that these companies knowingly produced and marketed addictive products while concealing their health risks. The Consumer Brands Association declined to comment specifically on the lawsuit but reiterated that there is no universally accepted definition of ultraprocessed foods and asserted that its members adhere to FDA safety standards.
As the conversation surrounding food safety and health continues to evolve, the implications of the GRAS exemption and the prevalence of ultraprocessed foods remain critical concerns for consumers, health experts, and policymakers alike.
