Kennedy’s Ultra‑Processed Food Crusade Gains Brussels Backing

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has taken his Make America Healthy Again campaign to Brussels, aligning with EU Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi to spotlight ultra‑processed foods (UPFs). Várhelyi, who met Kennedy at the USA‑EU Transatlantic Business Summit, praised the #eatrealfood push and noted that the U.S. and EU share a goal of reducing unhealthy diets. The debate now centers on how to define UPFs and whether to regulate them. The World Health Organization is preparing a global guidance tool and a food‑profiling system, while a 2024 WHO report accused the UPF industry of tactics similar to tobacco. The European Commission, awaiting a March 2027 study on UPF health risks, remains cautious, rejecting outright dietary mandates but considering financial incentives to encourage reformulation. Meanwhile, the U.S. is moving toward its own definition of ultra‑processed food.