School lunch tray with ultra-proceessed food and an apple

How food companies turn taxpayer-funded school meals into a market for ultra-processed foods

Ultra-processed food companies heavily market their products and brands through a program that lets schools send fresh USDA-supplied ingredients for processing. Most become convenience foods, including ultra-processed foods, which have been linked to many health harms.

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Ultra-processed foods and our health  

Ultra-processed foods tied to cancer, diabetes, dementia, depression, early death, and more

More than half the calories Americans consume come from ultra-processed foods. Hundreds of scientific studies provide strong evidence that consuming these foods causes serious health risks.

May 7, 2025