Ultra-Processed America: An Analysis of Regulatory Failure, Public Opinion & Global Models for U.S. Food Policy

Abstract

In the United States, the government’s response to ultra-processed foods (UPFs), or industrially formulated products high in additives, sugars, and refined ingredients, is characterized by regulatory stagnation and weak consumer protections. As the physical and mental health risks associated with UPFs continue to escalate, food policy in the U.S. remains largely fragmented and short-sighted, responding to industry pressure rather than proactively preventing harm. This thesis investigates deficiencies in U.S. food policy and proposes strategies for reform, guided by political feasibility, public opinion, and international models. Using a mixed-methods approach, this research draws on an original national survey of over 2,300 respondents, participation at the FAO’s World Food Forum in Rome, 22 expert interviews spanning epidemiology, policy, technology, and journalism, and a comprehensive review of academic literature. It begins by tracing the historical evolution of U.S. food regulation, highlighting how institutional frameworks have largely prioritized market stability over nutrition, and how Big Food—mirroring the playbook of Big Tobacco—has established UPFs in the U.S. diet through lobbying and research obfuscation. My research then presents global case studies from Latin America, Europe, and Asia to examine how dietary guidelines, front-of-package labeling, nutrition education, and advertising restrictions, have been used abroad to curb UPF consumption. The final chapters assess the current U.S. regulatory and political context, including public attitudes toward UPFs, the implications of leadership under President Trump and RFK Jr., and emerging state-level initiatives in places like California, before presenting policy recommendations across federal, state, private-sector, and grassroots levels. The thesis concludes that the most effective response to this public health crisis requires a hybrid approach of top-down regulatory interventions, complemented by bottom-up pressure through education and a paradigm shift in how nutrition is conceived and governed. By bridging science and policy, research and implementation, this thesis provides a roadmap for policymakers to confront the ultra-processed food epidemic and advance a healthier, more transparent American food system.