STAT+: Nutrition experts press White House to release ultra-processed food definition

Over 80 nutrition professionals are urging the White House to release the government's suggested definition of ultra-processed foods following its August cancellation under pressure from significant food corporations. The Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University, headed by cardiologist Dariush Mozaffarian, is set to convene with the Office of Management and Budget on Friday to present the petition.

HHS desires the definition's release before the upcoming midterm elections, according to Mozaffarian, who addressed the HHS event where the definition was initially intended to be unveiled. "This aligns with the Make America Healthy Again movement that many independent and swing voters backed," Mozaffarian stated. "I believe HHS perceives this as a victory for the administration before the election, demonstrating their implementation of practical action."

However, Mozaffarian also noted that the Consumer Brands Association, a food industry trade group, contends that a proposed definition could increase food costs—a claim he labels as "preposterous and false"—which may make the White House cautious as the midterm elections approach.