America’s Food Problem is Hiding in Plain Sight

Highly Processed Foods Dominate U.S. Diets, Contributing to Health Concerns

Photo by Kelly Visel on Unsplash

Walk through any grocery store in the United States and there are some common trends. Shelves are packed with brightly colored boxes, long ingredient lists are pasted to the sides of products and produce only takes up a small portion of the buildings. While marketed products are convenient and affordable, their dominance in the American diet will cost us. 

According to federal dietary guidelines, the average American diet is overloaded with sodium, saturated fats, refined grains, excess calories and added sugars, while falling short on fruits, vegetables and whole foods. Patterns like these have serious consequences. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that more than 40 percent of U.S. adults are classified as obese, a figure that has continued to rise over the past several decades. 

The issue is not just weight. Nearly 96 million American adults are estimated to have prediabetes, putting them at high risk for developing type two diabetes. Excess sodium intake is also a problem, with Americans consuming an average of about 2,300 milligrams per day: well above recommended levels. 

Despite awareness, healthier food options remain more expensive than processed alternatives, making nutritious choices harder to access for many families. Fast foods are more accessible and less costly than a nutritious meal. Foods commonly sold in the U.S also contain additives and dyes that are restricted or banned in other countries due to potential health concerns, causing speculation about food regulation standards in America. 

“I am more likely to purchase fast food because it tastes good,” junior Ford Hogge said. 

The difference between U.S. food standards and those of other countries is significant. Several popular American products that contain dyes and additives are restricted or banned elsewhere due to their effects on health. In the United States, however, these ingredients remain widely used. 

For example, certain versions of Froot Loops sold in the U.S contain artificial colorings such as Yellow 5 and Yellow 6. Research has shown these dyes to cause potential behavioral issues in children and allergic reactions. Because of these concerns, similar formulations are not sold in countries including Finland, France, Austria and Norway, where stricter food regulations are enforced. 

Sports drinks like Gatorade have also faced backlash. The beverage has historically used artificial dyes, and previously included brominated vegetable oil, an additive associated with thyroid and neurological problems. As a result, some countries, including Japan and the United Kingdom, have restricted use of or declined to sell certain versions of the drink. 

Even everyday snack foods are affected. Ritz crackers contain industrial trans fats, which have been linked to increased “bad” cholesterol and heart disease risk. Products with similar ingredients are banned or heavily regulated in several European countries. 

When foods common in American households are considered unsafe everywhere else, why are U.S countries held to a lower standard?