Washington, D.C., July 23, 2025 –Under the leadership of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture are accelerating federal efforts to address the growing concerns around ultra-processed foods and the current epidemic of diet-related chronic disease that is plaguing America. The agencies are announcing a joint Request for Information (RFI) to gather information and data to help establish a federally recognized uniform definition for ultra-processed foods—a critical step in providing increased transparency to consumers about the foods they eat.

"Ultra-processed foods are driving our chronic disease epidemic," said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. "We must act boldly to eliminate the root causes of chronic illness and improve the health of our food supply. Defining ultra-processed foods with a clear, uniform standard will empower us even more to Make America Healthy Again."

Currently, there is no single authoritative definition for ultra-processed foods for the U.S. food supply. Creating a uniform federal definition will serve as a key deliverable on the heels of the recently published Make Our Children Healthy Again Assessment, which recognizes that the overconsumption of ultra-processed foods is one of the driving factors of the childhood chronic disease crisis.

“President Trump has made it a priority to improve health outcomes for American families and communities. And this Request for Information is yet another step in seeking commonsense ways to foster improved and more informed consumer choice. A unified, widely understood definition for ultra processed foods is long overdue and I look forward to continued partnership with Secretary Kennedy to Make America Healthy Again. As this process unfolds, I will make certain the great men and women of the agriculture value chain are part of the conversation,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins.

“I am delighted to lead this critical effort at the FDA,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H. “The threats posed to our health by foods often considered ultra-processed are clear and convincing, making it imperative that we work in lockstep with our federal partners to advance, for the first time ever, a uniform definition of ultra-processed foods.”

It is estimated that approximately 70% of packaged products in the U.S. food supply are foods often considered ultra-processed, and that children get over 60% of their calories from such foods. Dozens of scientific studies have found links between the consumption of foods often considered ultra-processed with numerous adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, cancer, obesity and neurological disorders. Helping to address overconsumption of ultra-processed foods is a key element to Make America Healthy Again.

A uniform definition of ultra-processed foods will allow for consistency in research and policy to pave the way for addressing health concerns associated with the consumption of ultra-processed foods. The RFI will be publicly available in the federal register on July 24 and seeks information on what factors and criteria should be included in a definition of ultra-processed foods.

Alongside developing a uniform definition, the FDA and National Institutes of Health are investing in high-quality research to help answer remaining questions about the health impacts of ultra-processed foods through its recently announced Nutrition Regulatory Science Program. The Department will also continue to pursue developing and implementing other key policies and programs that seek to, collectively, dramatically reduce chronic disease and help ensure a healthy future for our nation.

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Washington, D.C., April 30, 2025 - In the first 100 days of the Trump Administration, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has taken action to support the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and put Farmers First at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“Farmers come first at the United States Department of Agriculture in the Trump Administration. We have had an action-packed first 100 days of President Donald J. Trump in the White House. At USDA, I have made bold changes to improve the lives of American producers and consumers. I look forward to continuing our work to bring America into a new golden age of prosperity, with American farmers and ranchers leading the way,” said Secretary Rollins.

Secretary Rollins also visited 15 states in the first 100 days of the Trump Administration, including Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Georgia, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, North Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, Ohio, and Iowa.

On day one, Secretary Rollins took action to support America’s farmers and ranchers, and in just her first week on the job, Secretary Rollins traveled to four states to hear directly from producers and to see their operations firsthand. In her first month, Secretary Rollins moved swiftly to advance key priorities focused on efficiency and agricultural prosperity.

In the first 100 days, USDA has put Farmers First. At Secretary Rollins’ direction, USDA has

• Supported American poultry and egg producers, addressed the avian flu, and lowered the cost of eggs for consumers. In February, Secretary Rollins announced a five-point plan to combat the avian flu and lower egg prices which has been applauded by agriculture and government leaders across the country. Since the plan was introduced, the wholesale price of eggs has decreased 56 percent.
• Taken bold action to respond to disease outbreaks to strengthen the domestic food supply, because food security is national security. This includes work to put pressure on the Mexican government for failing to cooperate in addressing the New World Screwworm or meet its water delivery obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty. As a result of these negotiations, Secretary Rollins announced a major win for American agriculture by securing the agreement of the Mexican government to meet the current water needs of farmers and ranchers in Texas.
• Dropped criminal charges against Charles and Heather Maude, a South Dakota family with a small cattle and hog operation, who endured a senseless politically motivated prosecution waged by the Biden Administration over 25 acres of U.S. Forest Service federal land.
• Fought for fair trade for all American farmers and ranchers by tackling trade barriers and visiting six countries in the next six months to expand market access.
• Unleashed American energy dominance through expanded access to mining and drilling on federal land and releasing a biofuels incentive program to help fuel America.
• Streamlined unnecessary regulations and cutting red tape for agricultural producers and industries to allow them to feed, fuel, and clothe the world. This work included sweeping reforms to boost timber production, streamline pork and poultry processing, and reduce wildfire risk through public-private partnerships.
• Approved a variety of congressionally authorized fund distributions to support communities affected by wind storms and disasters and the agricultural sector.
• Worked to reduce the cost of living for farmers and consumers, including seeking reform for H2A and H2B visas to ensure reliable, legal labor on farms and ranches.
• Sought out and eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse in all USDA programs, including improper payments, SNAP fraud, and woke programs that don’t put Farmers First. Woke programs include a climate slush fund and funding to schools that violate Title IX and endanger women and girls.
• Led major steps to Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) through reforming SNAP and nutrition education services. The MAHA movement at USDA has also supported major voluntary changes to make food healthier.
• Took leadership to make rural America prosper again by reducing regulations and revitalizing communities.

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