More than 80 nutrition researchers and experts are calling on the White House to release the federal government’s proposed definition of ultra-processed foods, after its unveiling in August was canceled at the last minute under pressure from major food companies.
The Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University, led by cardiologist Dariush Mozaffarian, is scheduled to meet with the Office of Management and Budget on Friday to present the petition. The Department of Health and Human Services wants the definition to be released before the upcoming midterms, said Mozaffarian, who spoke at the HHS event where the definition was originally slated to be announced.
“This is part of what the Make America Healthy Again movement that many independent voters and swing voters voted for,” Mozafarrian said. “I think HHS sees this as a win for the administration before the election to show they’re taking real action.”
On the other hand, Mozaffarian said, the Consumer Brands Association, a food industry trade group, has argued that a proposed definition will raise food prices — a position he calls “absurd and false,” but one that could make the White House nervous with midterms around the corner.