Public Awareness and Support for Governmental Intervention to Address Harms Associated With Consumption of Ultraprocessed Foods: A National Survey, United States, June 2025

AI Summary

58.1% have heard of ultraprocessed foods, but only 32.8% feel confident explaining them.
Widespread recognition of physical health harms from UPFs, with substantially less awareness of associated mental health harms.
Robust bipartisan support for multiple government legal and policy interventions to reduce UPF consumption and address corporate responsibility.

Am J Public Health. 2026 Jun 3:e1-e11. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2026.308498. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Objectives. To assess public understanding of ultraprocessed foods (UPFs), support for governmental intervention to address UPF harms, and potential differences in understanding and support by political party. Methods. We partnered with YouGov on a web-based survey of 2000 adults weighted to be nationally representative in the United States to assess awareness and confidence in explaining UPFs, beliefs about UPF harms and UPF companies, responsibility for addressing UPF harms, and support for governmental actions to regulate UPF products and companies. We stratified results by political party. Results. Many Americans have heard of UPFs (58.1%), but fewer are confident in their understanding (32.8%). There is widespread recognition of UPF harms to physical health but less awareness of mental health harms. There is broad support among Democrats, Independents, and Republicans for several public policy and legal strategies designed to reduce UPF consumption. Conclusions. There is robust and bipartisan support for addressing UPF harms through many specific legal and policy interventions. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print June 3, 2026:e1-e11. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2026.308498).

PMID:42233207 | DOI:10.2105/AJPH.2026.308498

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