A major shake-up is coming to grocery stores nationwide in a move that could prompt food manufacturers to change their recipes. The Health and Human Services Department will be publishing its first-ever definition of ultra-processed foods next month, which will pave the way for front-of-package nutrition labels that warn consumers about products high in fat, sodium and other nutrients. Packages will then contain a green light, yellow light or red light to indicate whether the food will be good for you. Foods typically considered to be ultra-processed include soft drinks and packaged snacks such as potato chips, cookies and candies. The CDC estimates that 55% of the American diet is made up of ultra-processed food. Approximately 42% of Americans today are classified as obese, as compared with 10% obesity in the 1950s. The new food pyramid encourages Americans to eat more protein, vegetables and Whole Foods, while avoiding processed and ultra-processed foods where possible. The coming change will facilitate that in a much easier way.
