First Federal Definition of Ultra-Processed Food Moves to Final Review

HHS and USDA submitted the first proposed federal definition of ultra-processed food for final review but did not release its text. The announcement accompanied an FDA proposal requiring companies to notify the agency when they determine that a food ingredient is generally recognized as safe.

The Catch

A uniform definition could shape federal nutrition research, labeling and food policy, but its scope remains unknown until released. The GRAS proposal would expose previously undisclosed safety decisions, yet companies could still determine ingredients are safe without securing FDA approval before use.