Americans are familiar with ultra-processed foods, often loaded with additives that potentially harm health and increase healthcare costs. The latest Farm Bill, projected to cost $1.5 trillion over 10 years, allocates 82% of its budget to "food security." Meanwhile, crop insurance and assistance programs are directed towards commodities such as corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, dairy, and sugar, totaling $166.7 billion.
The financial dynamics of subsidizing these foods make ultra-processed foods (UPFs) cheaper. The cost per calorie for these foods is lower than other categories, with UPFs at approximately $0.55 per 100kcal and unprocessed foods at $1.45 per 100kcal. The subsidies result in increased purchasing power for low-income Americans to buy unhealthy food options, particularly affecting those on the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), who are 28% more likely to be obese compared to their peers not receiving SNAP funds.
The current Farm Bill structure is criticized as a "healthcare inflation tax" rather than a food security policy. There is a call for states to implement policy changes to improve the food supply.
A reference to the 1989 film “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” depicts the awareness of food quality issues through a joke on non-nutritive food additives. Despite being humorously labeled in the movie, such additives, lacking nutritional value, contribute to overconsumption and potential health risks. The additives market is valued at $8.73 billion and is expected to grow significantly.
Ultra-processed foods are linked to obesity, cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, leading to costly medical treatments, with the CDC estimating obesity-related costs at $173 billion annually. Type 2 diabetes incurs $327 billion per year in costs, and diets high in UPFs correlate with mental health issues, causing further expenses.
The responsibility for addressing these health and financial burdens falls partly on states. They can influence healthier eating habits and reduce healthcare costs by altering tax policies on whole foods instead of supporting the status quo through the current Farm Bill. The film’s satire is echoed in real-life challenges, urging policy shifts to favor whole foods.
