Comment from Eating in America
AnonymousSupportAcademic
Summary: Ric Bayly, an epidemiologist and writer for EatingInAmerica.co, supports the petition to revoke the "Generally Recognized As Safe" status of ultra-processed food (UPF) substances. He argues that peer-reviewed studies link UPF consumption to chronic diseases and that these products are engineered for hyperpalatability, posing a significant public health risk.
I support David Kessler’s petition to revoke Generally Recognized As Safe status of the UPF substances specified in his petition unless the manufacturers of those substances can prove their safety when consumed.
In multiple peer-reviewed studies, UPF consumption is strongly associated with chronic diseases including obesity (Monteiro et al., Lancet, 2025, attached). Substantial evidence indicates UPF cannot be Generally Recognized As Safe.
The formulation of UPF is done with the goal of hyperpalatability. Hyperpalatability combined with marketing preys on human biology to create unhealthy eating patterns. Science has revealed that it would increase the public health of Americans to have the specified ultraprocessed foods removed from market unless they can be proven to be safe.
Thank you.
Ric Bayly, MS, MPH, MLA
Epidemiologist and writer/editor of EatingInAmerica.co