Health advocates have slammed a recent Time magazine article for appearing to suggest that ultra-processed foods (UPF) may not be “as bad as we think.”
articleAn article published last week following a California-based nutritionist's fight against the “escalating war on ultra-processed foods” highlights why ultra-processed foods have been overly demonized, including the widespread neglect of addressing food insecurity and ultra-processed food consumption among marginalized groups.
The article also links to a 2024 study that found people who eat processed foods can still stay healthy, suggesting that overall diet may be a more important factor, “although researchers found an association between a highly processed diet and risk of premature death.”
“Some of these articles are sending really irresponsible messages,” Dr. Nicole Safia, a Fox News medical commentator, said Sunday.
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Ultra-processed foods are coming into the spotlight as former presidential candidate RFK Jr. calls for “making America healthy again.” (iStock)
“When it comes to food, of course walking outside and getting fresh fruits and vegetables and even animal products is the healthiest thing to do – farm-to-table – but there are also plenty of minimally processed foods, like olive oil. [and] “Tuna has been altered from its natural state and is now cured in oil and salted. But what we're really talking about here is ultra-processed foods that have not only been altered from their natural state but also have additives, chemicals, preservatives, and even added colors and artificial flavors.”
Safia explained that any food with a shelf life of more than two weeks is likely ultra-processed.
“Not all ultra-processed foods are equally bad for you,” she continued, “but at the end of the day, they're all bad for you. So the message shouldn't be, 'Well, it's not so bad,' but, 'How can we get healthier, more nutritious foods into homes so people don't have to rely on cheaper, unhealthy alternatives?'”
Research shows people who eat these unhealthy foods have a sharp rise in depression risk. “It's no coincidence.”
The article makes no mention of Trump or Kennedy, but some have speculated the topic may have come up after their alliance focused on reducing chronic disease. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
Just last year, Another TIME article The study, titled “Why Ultra-Processed Foods are Bad for You,” points out that ultra-processed foods are linked to an increased risk of dementia, type 2 diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and other complications, and sounds the alarm about foods that contain more than 10 ingredients and have long shelf lives.
Neither figure was mentioned in last week's article, but some have speculated that the change may have come about in response to former independent presidential candidate RFK Jr. teaming up in part on a pledge to “Make America Healthy Again.”
“This is how they tell liberals what to think,” Kennedy Jr. wrote to X in response to critics who pointed out contradictions in the Time article.
Kennedy's particular focus is on the link between ultra-processed foods and chronic disease, particularly in children.
“We are poisoning all the children and adults in large numbers.” He argued Previously.
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