The Lacuna Project

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Exhibit 141

Report on the stalled federal ultra-processed food definition

Exhibit 141 · Journalism

Report on the stalled federal ultra-processed food definition

More than 80 nutrition researchers and experts are calling on the White House to release the federal government’s proposed definition of ultra-processed foods, after its unveiling in August was canceled at the last minute under pressure from major food companies.

Reports that the planned release of the definition was canceled at the last minute, that the definition remained unreleased in October 2026, that more than 80 nutrition researchers urged its release, and that Tufts nutrition scientist Dariush Mozaffarian attributed the delay to industry pressure, which industry disputes.

Source
STAT
Date
22 October 2026
Quoted from
STAT, Sarah Todd, 22 Oct. 2026, first paragraph (STAT+ paywall; only the opening is readable)
Grade
Reported
Document
https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/22/ultra-processed-food-definition-maha-white-house/
Accessed
2026-11-09
Cited by
Findings citing this exhibit

Cited by

Finding AGR-1.13
Reported A proposed federal definition of ultra-processed food went to OMB review as a white paper on 3 August 2026, according to OIRA's review record, and had not been released as of 13 October 2026. The Philadelphia Inquirer, carrying a Bloomberg article, reported on 10 August 2026 that food-company executives lobbied the Trump administration to delay or block its release, according to people familiar with the discussions. STAT reported on 22 October 2026 that the planned release was canceled at the last minute.
Finding MED-6.6
Reported The Philadelphia Inquirer, carrying a Bloomberg article, reported on 10 August 2026 that food-company executives lobbied the Trump administration to delay or block release of a federal definition of ultra-processed food, according to people familiar with the discussions. STAT reported on 22 October 2026 that the planned release was canceled at the last minute and that the definition remained unreleased. The food industry disputes that its lobbying caused the delay.