Today, the National Oilseed Producers Association (NOPA) submitted comments to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in response to their joint Request for Information on how to define “ultra-processed foods” (UPFs).
In its comments, NOPA urged the agencies to ensure that any definition of UPFs reflects sound nutrition science and focuses on the nutritional quality of foods, not the degree of processing alone. The association cautioned that classification systems based primarily on processing—such as the NOVA framework—can misrepresent the nutritional quality of many foods and confuse consumers.
“We support the USDA and FDA’s goal of promoting healthier diets, however it is key to evaluate foods based on their nutritional value, not the level of processing,” said Devin Mogler, President and CEO of NOPA. “Ingredients low in saturated fats such as vegetable oils deliver essential nutrients critical for heart and brain health. Classifying foods solely on how they’re made overlooks decades of scientific evidence and risks misleading consumers about what constitutes a healthy diet.”
The associations’ recommendations call on FDA and USDA to:
· Reject definitions that label foods as unhealthy based solely on how they are processed.
· Prioritize nutrient composition and science-backed indicators of health, such as sugar, fat, and calorie balance.
· Ensure that consumer information remains clear, evidence-based, and aligned with public health goals.
NOPA emphasized that processing itself should not be equated with poor nutrition, noting that a nutrient-focused approach better reflects scientific consensus and supports equitable access to healthy foods. The association looks forward to continued collaboration with the FDA, USDA, and the administration to advance evidence-based dietary guidance that promotes public health and maintains consumer confidence in the U.S. food supply.
Read NOPA’s full comments here.
