Will Congress be left to define ultraprocessed foods?

[Viable Food News Desk]

Publisher: Grocery Dive
Published: August 14, 2026
Source: Read at Grocery Dive
Category: Food Access

The FDA delayed releasing its proposed definition of ultraprocessed foods and submitted the definition to the White House as a nonbinding white paper. The agency instead announced a proposal to add transparency to the Generally Recognized As Safe ingredients approval process. Congress has moved on two food label bills. One proposal, from Sen. Bernie Sanders, advanced through committee in July and would require warning labels for foods containing one or more industrial ingredients, while another would require the FDA to define terms including "ultraprocessed," "not ultraprocessed" and "natural."

Why this matters: Independent grocers may face different labeling and product definitions as federal lawmakers and states develop separate approaches. California's law defines ultraprocessed foods as items containing at least one additive or high amounts of saturated fat, sodium or added sugar.

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