A recent survey conducted by The Harris Poll for the American Heart Association (AHA) found that while 90% of U.S. adults recognize the term "ultraprocessed foods," only 35% report being very or extremely familiar with it. The survey involved over 2,000 adults this past summer and highlights a significant gap between awareness and understanding of the term.
Read More
The findings indicate that although a majority—71%—of respondents try to avoid ultraprocessed foods, perceptions about their healthiness vary. Three-quarters (76%) view ultraprocessed foods as unhealthy, while 62% believe foods labeled as "not ultraprocessed" are healthy. Additionally, a significant number of adults (72%) feel confident in their ability to identify ultraprocessed foods, and 66% believe they could explain the concept to someone else.
In light of these results, the AHA is urging the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to expedite the release of a federal definition for ultraprocessed foods. Such a definition is expected to enhance research and provide a common framework for nutrition discussions. The call to action follows a July 2025 request from the Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture for public input on this topic. As the draft definition now awaits OMB review, industry groups with vested interests in ultraprocessed foods have reportedly launched a campaign against it.
Mariell Jessup, M.D., FAHA, chief science and medical officer at the AHA, criticized these industry actions, stating, "Big Soda and other industry interests are trying to prevent a federal definition of UPFs – a blatant display of their true motives to protect profits at the expense of public health." She emphasized that a federal standard is vital for guiding future nutrition policies.
A 2025 science advisory from the AHA linked high consumption of ultraprocessed foods with adverse health outcomes, including heart disease and increased sodium, added sugars, and saturated fat intake.
Jessup further noted that defining ultraprocessed foods would be an essential step toward promoting healthy diets but stressed that additional policy measures are necessary. The AHA advocates for clearer food labeling and increased investment in nutrition research to facilitate healthier food choices for consumers.
Survey Methodology:
The polling took place online from June 16 to 18, 2026, among 2,007 adults aged 18 and older. Responses were weighted by key demographic factors to reflect national proportions. The sampling error for the data is within ± 2.7 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.