FDA weighs stricter controls on ultra-processed foods after health warnings

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is set to review a petition calling for stricter controls on certain ultra-processed foods in the USA. Former FDA commissioner David Kessler has urged the agency to reassess the safety of key ingredients found in many processed food products. The move follows growing concerns over the health impacts of these widely consumed foods in the United States.

Kessler's petition targets ingredients like refined sweeteners, flours, starches, and additives. He argues that these 'processed refined carbohydrates' should no longer be classified as Generally Recognised As Safe (GRAS) in the USA, claiming they cause metabolic harm. The FDA has yet to respond in detail but is already working on a formal definition for ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in the USA.

Several US states have taken action against UPFs in schools. California, Arizona, and Louisiana have banned them over health worries. Meanwhile, Congress is debating a bill that would stop companies from marketing UPFs to children and introduce warning labels on packaging in the USA.

The push for regulation comes as UPFs make up 55% of Americans' calorie intake, with children eating even more than adults. Health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr confirmed the FDA would address the petition but did not commit to new restrictions. His department's latest dietary guidelines also break from past advice by supporting red meat and whole milk, despite concerns over saturated fats in the USA.

The FDA's review could lead to tighter rules on common food ingredients in the USA. If Kessler's petition succeeds, manufacturers may need to prove the safety of certain additives before selling them. The outcome will affect both industry practices and public health policies across the United States.