MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — The Environmental Working Group is applauding new federal dietary guidelines that urge Americans to cut back on highly processed foods, often called ultra-processed foods, or UPF.
In a statement, EWG dietitian Sarah Reinhardt said the guidelines “point us in the right direction” and that ultra-processed foods high in refined grains and added sugar are contributing to chronic disease.
EWG pointed to consumption data showing ultra-processed foods make up a majority of daily calories for many Americans. A CDC data brief using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data found ultra-processed foods accounted for 55.0% of calories overall for people ages 1 and older in 2021–2023, including 61.9% for youth ages 1–18 and 53.0% for adults.
EWG also said states have taken steps to address concerns about UPF, while the Food and Drug Administration has not defined UPF or required front-of-package disclosures. For consumers looking to avoid UPF, EWG recommends reading ingredient lists and steering away from products with artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners, and using EWG’s Food Scores tool to compare options.
Guidelines: Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030.