Chips and Snacks Illustration

By Jerry Zhou

Ultra-Processed Foods in America: New Data, Health Effects, and a Sweet Alternative

TL;DR:

  • Over Half of Our Calories (Aug 2021–Aug 2023 NHANES): More than 55% of the average American's daily calories now come from ultra-processed foods – packaged snacks, sweetened drinks, fast foods, etc. Kids and teens get an even higher share (61.9%) than adults (53%) CDCCDC. The good news? This number is declining slightly from previous peaks, with youth consumption dropping from 65.6% in 2017-2018 to 61.9% in 2021-2023, and adult consumption falling from 55.8% to 53% Products - Data Briefs - Number 536 - August 2025.
  • Health Red Flags: A comprehensive 2024 BMJ review of 45 studies involving nearly 10 million people found "convincing evidence" that higher ultra-processed food intake was associated with around a 50% increased risk of cardiovascular disease related death, 48-53% higher risk of anxiety and common mental disorders, and 12% greater risk of type 2 diabetes Frontiers | Ultra-processed foods consumption and health-related outcomes: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. "Highly suggestive evidence" also indicated a 21% greater risk of death from any cause, 40-66% increased risk of heart disease related death, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and sleep problems, and 22% increased risk of depression Frontiers | Ultra-processed foods consumption and health-related outcomes: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
  • Shifting Attitudes: According to Packaged Facts' May 2024 National Online Consumer Survey, 51% of respondents seek out clean label packaged foods, while 40% seek out organic foods The Freedonia Group & Packaged Facts Announce the Close of the 3rd Quarter Edition of Their 2024 National Online Consumer Survey Press Release - The Freedonia Group. Eighty-one percent of shoppers say it's important to them to purchase clean-label food products, according to the 2024 Clean Label Insights Study from Acosta Group.
  • Clean-Label Growth: Clean-label products are driving retail sales, with clean label sales outperforming total store sales by a compound annual growth rate of 8% versus 6% respectively over four years, while consumers increasingly prioritize "what's NOT in their products."
  • A Sweet Solution – Honey Pops: Cutting back on ultra-processed sugar doesn't mean giving up treats. Sparko Sweets Honey Pops are all-natural honey lollipops made with California wildflower honey and zero corn syrup or artificial additives – a wholesome throwback to simpler ingredients that aligns perfectly with the clean-label movement.

What Are "Ultra-Processed" Foods (and How Much Do We Eat)?

Ultra-processed foods often contain little to no whole foods and are characterized using ingredients typically not found in home kitchens. These ingredients are based on forms of fats, sugar, salt, and other food components that prolong shelf-life and increase palatability and convenience Products - Data Briefs - Number 536 - August 2025. Think of instant noodles, chicken nuggets, sugary cereals, soda, candy bars – foods engineered for convenience, long shelf life, and crave-worthy taste.

How prevalent are they in the American diet? The overall mean percentage of total calories consumed from ultra-processed foods among those age 1 year and older was 55.0% during August 2021–August 2023. Youth ages 1–18 years consumed a higher percentage of calories from ultra-processed foods (61.9%) than adults age 19 and older (53.0%) Ultra-processed Food Consumption in Youth and Adults. This data comes from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, from August 2021 to August 2023, with the CDC identifying ultra-processed foods using the NOVA classification system — a framework developed by Brazilian researchers that's the most commonly used tool to evaluate processed foods CDC: Americans get more than half their calories from ultra-processed foods.

NOVA defines ultra-processed products as "industrial creations" made with little — if any — whole foods. The top source of ultra-processed foods for both kids and adults was sandwiches, such as burgers, hot dogs and PB&Js. That was followed by baked goods, salty snacks and sugary drinks CDC: Americans get more than half their calories from ultra-processed foods.

The encouraging news is that there was a decrease in calories from ultra-processed foods and beverages between 2017-2018 and August 2021-August 2023. For youth, the percentage dropped from 65.6% to 61.9%. For adults, it fell from 55.8% to 53% Products - Data Briefs - Number 536 - August 2025. While we're still far from ideal levels, this gentle turnaround suggests that awareness campaigns may be influencing habits.

Health Impacts: Why Does it Matter?

Recent comprehensive research has revealed that ultra-processed foods are linked to a wide range of serious health outcomes. The largest-ever review of studies about ultra-processed foods, published in The BMJ in February 2024, examined 45 analyses involving nearly 10 million people. Scientists found "convincing evidence" that higher ultra-processed food intake was associated with around a 50% increased risk of cardiovascular disease related death, 48-53% higher risk of anxiety and common mental disorders, and 12% greater risk of type 2 diabetes. "Highly suggestive evidence" also indicated a 21% greater risk of death from any cause, 40-66% increased risk of heart disease related death, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and sleep problems, and 22% increased risk of depression Frontiers | Ultra-processed foods consumption and health-related outcomes: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Eating a lot of these foods has been linked to a higher risk of heart disease and other serious health problems Products - Data Briefs - Number 536 - August 2025, leading health officials to take notice. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has vowed to crack down on ultra-processed foods. Kennedy has repeatedly said the nation's food supply is "mass poisoning" this generation of children and made overhauling it one of his main priorities Americans get over half of their calories from highly processed foods: CDC | Just The News.

Are Tastes Changing? Consumer Awareness and Clean Label Trends

The encouraging news is that Americans are becoming more aware of food processing and actively seeking better alternatives:

Growing Consumer Awareness

Packaged Facts' May 2024 National Online Consumer Survey reveals that 51% of respondents seek out clean label packaged foods, while 40% seek out organic foods The Freedonia Group & Packaged Facts Announce the Close of the 3rd Quarter Edition of Their 2024 National Online Consumer Survey Press Release - The Freedonia Group. In the study, 81% of shoppers say it's important to them to purchase clean-label food products, according to the 2024 Clean Label Insights Study from Acosta Group.

The Clean Label Movement

"Clean label" generally refers to food products with fewer, recognizable ingredients and minimal processing. Consumers are also looking beyond the absence of artificial flavors and preservatives – ethical sourcing, sustainable practices, and a company's social responsibility are all part of the equation The Freedonia Group & Packaged Facts Announce the Close of the 3rd Quarter Edition of Their 2024 National Online Consumer Survey Press Release - The Freedonia Group.

Market Performance

Clean label sales are outperforming total store sales by a compound annual growth rate of 8% versus 6% respectively over four years, according to NIQ. The trend is driven by consumers who consider the absence of negatives, or an emphasis on what's not in the products, to be the most important attribute in their clean label purchasing choices.

Trust and Education

Importantly, 57% of shoppers trust retailers' clean label efforts, with that number rising to 77% for households with kids, according to the Acosta Group study. In addition, 70% of all shoppers want retailers to help them understand clean label products Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Clean label sales climb as more states explore ingredient bans.

A Sweet, Natural Alternative: Sparko Sweets Honey Pops

After absorbing all this information about ultra-processed foods, you might wonder if enjoying sweet treats means compromising your health. The good news is that you don't have to give up indulgence to eat more naturally – you just need to choose wisely.

Sparko Sweets Honey Pops represent exactly the kind of clean-label alternative that health-conscious consumers are seeking. These artisanal lollipops are handcrafted in Los Angeles using California wildflower honey as the primary sweetener, with no corn syrup, no artificial flavors or colors, and no preservatives whatsoever.

Every ingredient in Honey Pops is something you'd recognize from a real kitchen: pure cane sugar, sea salt, real ginger, bee pollen – all authentic ingredients that align perfectly with the clean-label movement. What you won't find is the usual roster of unpronounceable additives that fill most candy.

For Tea Time: A Mom/Boomer Sweet Spot

Swap fluorescent lollipops for a Honey Pop (pure wildflower honey, no corn syrup, no dyes), and you still get a soothing sweet without the additives – perfect as a tea stirrer or throat soother.

Why Honey Makes a Difference

By using honey instead of high-fructose corn syrup and artificial additives, these lollipops offer a more thoughtful kind of indulgence. Honey is minimally processed – essentially nature's original sweetener – and provides vitamins and antioxidants that refined sugar lacks. For generations, honey has been valued for its soothing properties, and many customers use Honey Pops as tea stirrers or throat soothers.

Meeting Consumer Demands

Honey Pops perfectly address the trends we're seeing in consumer behavior:

  • Clean Label Appeal: Simple, recognizable ingredients that align with the 51% of consumers seeking clean-label products
  • Natural Sweetening: Honey instead of corn syrup appeals to consumers reducing processed foods
  • Transparency: Clear ingredient lists that satisfy the 81% of shoppers who prioritize clean-label products
  • Functional Benefits: The natural throat-soothing properties of honey that appeal to wellness-focused consumers

For wellness-minded Boomers, Honey Pops offer the comfort and nostalgia of natural remedies (honey for a scratchy throat) in a convenient, modern form. For health-conscious parents, they provide a sweet reward that's free from artificial additives – kids think it's candy, but parents can feel confident about the wholesome ingredients.

The Future of Treats

As clean-label products continue driving retail sales and consumers become increasingly sophisticated about ingredients, products like Honey Pops represent the future of confections. They prove that treats can be both joyful and nourishing – offering the sweetness and comfort people crave without the ultra-processed baggage.

In a world where more than half our daily calories come from ultra-processed foods Ultra-processed Food Consumption in Youth and Adults, making small, thoughtful swaps like choosing a honey-based lollipop over a corn syrup candy can be part of a broader shift toward better health – one sweet choice at a time.

Conclusion

The tide is turning on ultra-processed foods in America. While we still consume them in concerning amounts, awareness is growing, alternatives are expanding, and consumers are voting with their wallets for cleaner, more natural options.

The path forward isn't about deprivation – it's about making informed choices that support both our immediate enjoyment and long-term wellbeing. Whether it's cooking one extra meal at home, reading ingredient labels more carefully, or choosing a naturally-sweetened treat like Honey Pops, these small shifts add up to meaningful change.

Here's to savoring the sweetness of life, naturally.

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