Americans of all political stripes want to regulate ultraprocessed foods. Is anyone listening?
Americans of All Political Stripes Want to Regulate Ultraprocessed Foods. Is Anyone Listening?
Americans of all political stripes want – Recent polling reveals a growing consensus among Americans across the political spectrum regarding the need for stricter oversight of ultraprocessed foods. According to a survey published Wednesday in the American Journal of Public Health, 77% of respondents—including Republicans, Democrats, and Independents—support the implementation of prominent warning labels on packages of highly processed foods. This marks a significant shift, as the demand for regulatory action is no longer confined to niche groups like health advocates or scientific researchers. The findings underscore a widespread concern about the health implications of these foods and the industry’s influence over dietary choices.
Public Demand for Transparency and Regulation
The survey further highlights that 70% of Americans believe food companies should be restricted from advertising ultraprocessed foods during children’s television programs. Similarly, 87% of participants advocate for mandatory safety evaluations of all synthetic chemicals before they are approved for use in food production. These statistics reflect a unified call for greater transparency in how food is manufactured, marketed, and regulated. “Families are increasingly questioning the role of ultraprocessed foods in their diets and the steps they can take to drive meaningful change,” noted Ashley Gearhardt, the lead researcher of the study and a professor at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
“Families are asking important questions about how food is made, marketed and regulated and how they can be a part of change,” said the survey’s senior author Ashley Gearhardt, a professor of psychology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
In response to this public sentiment, Gearhardt and a coalition of experts have launched a campaign titled “Fed UP!” aimed at educating consumers and mobilizing advocacy efforts. The initiative includes a dedicated website with resources such as explanatory articles, research summaries, instructional videos, and social media campaigns. These tools are designed to help individuals grasp the complexities of ultraprocessed foods and push for healthier dietary policies. The campaign also provides actionable steps, including guidance on how to petition local officials and influence school boards to limit UPF availability in educational institutions.
Industry Inaction and Political Influence
Despite the mounting pressure, industry representatives and policymakers have yet to deliver substantial reforms. The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission, which was tasked with addressing ultraprocessed food challenges by August 2025, released a final report in September that fell short of expectations. The document emphasized the government’s commitment to “continuing efforts” to define ultraprocessed foods but stopped short of implementing binding regulations or setting clear deadlines. “The final MAHA report is filled with promises but lacks enforceable measures,” remarked Barry Popkin, a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Gillings School of Global Public Health. “It appears that the food, agricultural, and pharmaceutical industries have effectively shaped the administration’s priorities.”
“Unfortunately, the final MAHA report is all promises and has no teeth,” Barry Popkin, the W.R. Kenan Jr. Distinguished Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Gillings School of Global Public Health, told CNN at the time. “In my opinion, it shows the food, agricultural, and pharmaceutical industries got to the White House and won the day.”
Industry lobbying efforts have played a critical role in shaping policy. Over the past 23 years, from 1999 to 2020, companies producing ultraprocessed foods allocated $1.15 billion to influence legislation, surpassing the combined spending of the gambling, tobacco, and alcohol sectors. This financial clout has likely contributed to the reluctance of lawmakers to impose stricter controls. “We’ve seen the same patterns with other industries,” Popkin added. “When powerful lobbies are involved, progress often stalls.”
Health Implications of Ultraprocessed Foods
The push for regulation is driven by mounting evidence linking ultraprocessed foods to serious health risks. A companion study, also published in the American Journal of Public Health, found that adults in the U.S. who consume the most ultraprocessed foods face nearly a 60% increased risk of dementia. Researchers observed that individuals with high intake of these foods—such as pre-packaged snacks, sugary beverages, and ready-to-eat meals—experienced a 50% greater likelihood of cardiovascular disease-related mortality when their daily caloric consumption rose by just 10% from UPF sources. This equates to an additional single serving of such foods per day.
Furthermore, the same study associated excessive ultraprocessed food consumption with a 55% higher chance of obesity and a 40% increased probability of developing type 2 diabetes. Additional research suggests connections between these foods and cognitive decline, with long-term effects potentially altering brain function. “Ultraprocessed foods are turning human thighs into well-marbled steaks,” said Cindy Leung, an associate professor of public health nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who co-authored the companion study. “The chemical additives and processing techniques used in their creation are reshaping our bodies in ways we may not fully understand.”
“Conversely, we found lower risks of cognitive impairment and dementia for high vs low consumers of minimally processed foods such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables,” said senior author Cindy Leung, an associate professor of public health nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Public health experts argue that regulatory measures are not only necessary but overdue. Laura Schmidt, a scientific contributor to the “Fed UP!” campaign and a professor at the University of California San Francisco’s Institute for Health Policy Studies, emphasized that the lack of action is alarming. “I worked on the first sugary soda tax in the U.S. back in 2009. It’s 2026 now, and we’re still not making significant strides in this area,” Schmidt stated. She pointed out that governments in South America have implemented similar policies for years, including mandatory warning labels and chemical safety protocols, demonstrating that such reforms are achievable. “We’re not regulating enough chemical additives that go into ultraprocessed foods. We don’t have transparency into their production. And we haven’t introduced consumer warning labels,” Schmidt added, expressing frustration with the current state of food policy.
Pathways to Change
While the challenges are considerable, the “Fed UP!” campaign believes public engagement can catalyze progress. By providing accessible information and practical tools, the initiative aims to empower individuals to hold corporations and policymakers accountable. Gearhardt highlighted that education is a key component of this strategy. “When people understand the impact of ultraprocessed foods, they become more likely to demand change,” she said. The campaign also underscores the importance of grassroots advocacy, emphasizing that legislative action often follows sustained public pressure.
With the stakes of inaction so high, the need for comprehensive reform has never been clearer. From cardiovascular health to cognitive function, the risks associated with ultraprocessed foods span multiple areas of well-being. As Americans continue to express their desire for accountability, the question remains: will the political and corporate leaders who have historically resisted change finally listen?
