Ultraprocessed Foods in the U.S.: Recommended Definitions and Policies

Published: May 2026

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Despite growing interest in ultraprocessed foods (UPFs), there is not consensus on how to define UPFs for policy purposes. To meet this need, Healthy Eating Research convened an expert panel to develop evidence-informed recommendations for policymakers and advocates interested in advancing policies to limit UPF exposure and consumption at the local, state, and federal levels. The panel assessed evidence to 1) recommend a definition of UPF suitable for guiding policy development and 2) identify policy options to reduce exposure and consumption of UPFs in the U.S.

Technical Report

This report presents an evidence-informed recommended definition of UPFs, addresses key considerations for implementing this definition, and recommends policy options to limit exposure to and consumption of UPFs. The technical report contains the full review of evidence and methodology used to develop the recommendations.

Executive Summary

This summary presents the expert panel’s recommendations.

One-Pager

This one-page summary presents a brief overview of the recommended definition for policy.

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Age Groups: Adolescents (grades 9 to 12), Adults and Families, Elementary-age children (grades K to 5), Pregnant women, infants and toddlers (ages 0 to 2), Preschool-age children (ages 3 to 5), Young adolescents (grades 6 to 8)

Resource Type: Expert Panel Report

Focus Areas: Food Access, Nutrition Policy & Programs

Keywords: Food formulation, Front-of-package labeling, Law/policy, Legal, Nutrition standards, Sugar-sweetened beverages, Taxes

State: National

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