Ultra-processed foods are not all created equal, and new guidance could reshape school lunches and food rules

A new report underscores the significant variations in healthfulness of different types of processed foods. The report, released by Healthy Eating Research (HER), recommends that “healthy” ultra-processed foods be exempt from policies meant to discourage consumers from eating them.

“Many people have been told to avoid processed foods, but the science is clearly telling us that we need to be more nuanced,” said Noah Praamsma, registered dietitian with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a national health advocacy nonprofit. “Processed meat like bacon, hot dogs, and deli meat should absolutely be avoided, but many plant-based foods that are considered ultra-processed, like breads, cereals, and meat alternatives are actually good for your health.”

Plant-based foods, Praamsma said, even when ultra-processed, like breakfast cereal, tend to have beneficial effects on human health. Animal-based ultra-processed foods and sugary drinks are consistently found to be harmful.

The HER report’s release coincides with the federal government’s efforts to define ultra-processed foods (UPFs). The Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture began seeking input regarding a definition for UPFs last year. This definition, still pending, will be used to inform policy, including taxation, advertising limits, and what foods can be served as part of the National School Lunch Program and other government-run food service facilities.

“We need policies informed by science, not ideology, and that are robust enough to actually promote beneficial food and discourage unhealthy foods,” Praamsma said.

Research has shown that not all foods classified as ultra-processed are harmful to health. A recent analysis from Harvard researchers found that sugary and artificially sweetened drinks and processed meats increased the risk of heart disease, but that bread, cold cereals, even some savory snacks, had beneficial effects.

The bread and cereal UPF categories, as well as plant-based meat alternatives, have also been found to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, compared to processed meat and sugary drinks, which increased risk of diabetes and heart disease.

The 14-member committee that authored the HER report recognized certain criteria should be used to exclude UPFs that are known to be healthy. Foods fall into this category if they contain adequate amounts of recommended food groups; remain below nutrient thresholds for added sugar, sodium, and saturated fat; and do not contain non-sugar sweeteners.

The HER report aligns with growing scientific consensus that not all UPF subgroups may have drastically different effects. In August of 2025, the American Heart Association acknowledged that “not all UPFs are junk foods or have poor nutritional quality; some UPFs have better nutritional value and can be part of an overall healthy dietary pattern.”

Provided by
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

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