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Trends | UPF

The Ultra-Processed Foods Debate Remains Far from Settled

With no universally accepted definition of ultra-processed foods, industry stakeholders face growing consumer pressure, regulatory uncertainty and questions about processing.
David Feder
David Feder , RDN
June 15, 2026

The campaign against ultra-processed foods continues to gain momentum, but the term itself remains scientifically and legally undefined. As regulators consider formal definitions and consumers grow increasingly wary of processing, food manufacturers must navigate a complex landscape where perception, nutrition science and policy do not always align.


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Food Industry News

Federal Push to Reschedule Marijuana Could Reshape Cannabis Ingredients Landscape

Administration orders accelerated rescheduling to Schedule III while signaling tighter oversight and clearer standards for hemp-derived cannabinoids used in foods and beverages
Prepared Foods Editorial Staff
December 18, 2025

The federal government is moving to formally recognize marijuana’s accepted medical use and accelerate its rescheduling from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. This shift is based on FDA, HHS and NIH findings showing credible scientific support for marijuana’s use in treating pain, nausea, vomiting and anorexia related to medical conditions.


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The US Food and Drug Administration

FDA Moves to Revoke 52 Outdated Food Standards

Action marks first phase of identity standard overhaul, targeting canned produce, dairy, baked goods, and more to reduce regulatory burden and support innovation
Prepared Foods Editorial Staff
July 17, 2025

The actions are the first results from the agency’s ongoing analysis of its portfolio of over 250 food Standards of Identity (SOI) to make sure they are useful, relevant and serve consumers in the best possible way. 


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The US Food and Drug Administration

FDA to Transform Human Foods Enterprise

FDA deputy commissioner for Human Foods commits to fulfilling vision of proposed program
October 20, 2023

Earlier this year, US Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D. laid out a bold vision to transform the agency's human foods enterprise. I am thrilled to have joined the FDA last month as the first Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods to help make this vision a reality.


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Consumers Seek Trust and Reliability in ‘Natural’ Labels

For now, manufacturers and end users interpret and set individual standards for natural product claims
Allison Rittman
June 13, 2023

The FDA considers the term “natural” to mean that nothing artificial or synthetic (including all color additives regardless of source) has been included in, or has been added to, a food that would not normally be expected to be in that food.


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FDA Proposes Updated Definition of ‘Healthy’ Claim on Food Packages

The proposed rule would align the definition of the “healthy” claim with current nutrition science, the updated Nutrition Facts label and the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans
September 28, 2022

More than 80% of people in the US aren’t eating enough vegetables, fruit and dairy. And most people consume too much added sugars, saturated fat and sodium. The proposed rule is part of the agency’s ongoing commitment to helping consumers improve nutrition and dietary patterns to help reduce the burden of chronic disease and advance health equity. 


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US Soy Launches Pilot Phase of Sustainably Grown US Soy Mark

With growing demand for environmental improvement, food companies seek to improve supply chain sustainability from the farmer to the consumer
January 19, 2021
From January 19 through March 19, the United Soybean Board (USB) is teaming up with partners from Soylent and DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences (DuPont) that will be participating in a pilot program to market their products and ingredients as being made with Sustainably Grown US Soy.
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FDA Launches Education Initiative on Genetically Engineered Foods

Feed Your Mind is a new outreach program that aims to increase consumer awareness and understanding of genetically engineered foods
May 22, 2020
GMO is a common term used by consumers to describe foods that have been created through genetic engineering. While GMOs have been available to consumers since the early 1990s and are a common part of today's food supply, research shows consumers have limited knowledge and understanding about what GMOs are, why they are used, and how they are made.
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FDA Launches Campaign to Help Consumers Use New Nutrition Facts Label

The campaign aims to reach the general public, while also focusing on consumers at increased risk of nutrition-related chronic diseases
March 13, 2020
The US Food and Drug Administration launched an initiative to help consumers use the new Nutrition Facts label that appears on packaged foods to maintain healthy dietary practices.
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