People want to avoid ultra-processed foods. But experts struggle to define them

The American diet is killing us . On that point, public health experts largely agree.

And in recent years, people who want to make Americans healthier — across the ideological spectrum — are targeting ultra-processed foods, which make up the majority of what Americans eat .

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said these foods are " poisoning " Americans and blames them for the chronic disease epidemic. California last month became the first U.S. state to ban certain ultra-processed foods from school lunches. And the Trump administration is working on its own definition of ultra-processed foods to help guide federal policy — and consumers. One recent survey found the majority of U.S. shoppers say they're trying to avoid these foods.

But here's the dilemma: Public healt