Top FDA officials weighing regulation of ultra-processed foods, internal documents show

WASHINGTON – Top Food and Drug Administration officials met multiple times earlier this year to discuss the regulation of ultra-processed foods, according to internal agency calendars obtained by STAT.

Two FDA officials, Haider Warraich and Robin McKinnon, met multiple times in February to discuss regulating these edible industrial creations, such as sodas, prepackaged cookies, and most breakfast cereals. Nutritionists suspect these manufactured foods increase people’s risk for a variety of chronic diseases, though as of now, there is a dearth of rigorous research to back up those claims.

Warraich serves as a senior adviser to FDA commissioner Robert Califf. McKinnon is the FDA’s senior adviser on nutrition policy.

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