They won't turn your fingers orange, but they're still not nutritious. Don't be fooled by the "healthier" versions of popular snacks that have launched in recent months. Removing artificial colors and flavors is a step in the right direction, but these are still ultra-processed foods. #FoodPolicy

While the USDA sets regulations for school meals based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, it takes time to draft and implement new rules after new guidelines are released. Thus, it may be several years before the new Guidelines impact what ends up on school lunch trays. #FoodPolicy

Are you a dietitian looking for strategies to provide compassionate care to patients of diverse body sizes? Our new "Tools for Dietitians" module contains resources about respectful communication, accessible office environments, explaining pathophysiology, and more: s.uconn.edu/dietitians

Over 70% of baby foods and drinks sold in the U.S. are ultraprocessed and may contain harmful additives, according to a new study from researchers at @uncchapelhill.bsky.social. Despite this, these products are often marketed as "healthy" or even "necessary for a child's development." #FoodPolicy

Could the word "Protein” be any bigger? They hope you don't turn the box around and see 30 grams of added sugar (over 7 teaspoons!) and Red 40 food dye (on the list to be banned from schools in several states). #FoodPolicy #Health

Studies show that about one-third of adults with higher weight perceive weight stigma in their interactions with dietitians. In a new module for Supportive Obesity Care, we explore steps to eliminate weight stigma in dietetics practice and ensure respectful care: s.uconn.edu/dietitians

SNAP "junk food bans" are rolling out to over a third of states this year, affecting more than 14 million participants around the country. However, each participating state has its own rules about what is considered "unhealthy." #FoodPolicy #Health #News

Rest in peace, MyPlate! 🕊️🤍 In case you missed it, under the updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans, MyPlate is being replaced by an inverted food pyramid. We discuss what's behind this change in our full #FoodPolicy analysis of the new DGAs: s.uconn.edu/dgadebrief #Health #Politics #News

New spotlight on @violetachacon.bsky.social! 💡 Violeta has been a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Rudd Center since 2023, and we are incredibly fortunate to have her on our team. Click the link below to learn more about her #FoodPolicy research!

A new edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans is expected this month, and @cspinet.org has released a wishlist for what they want to see incorporated. The Guidelines form the backbone of national nutrition policies and shape what can be served/purchased in many federal programs. #FoodPolicy

Are you a reasonable consumer? In many deceptive advertising legal actions, courts have decided what “reasonable consumers” know. Take @truthinads.bsky.social's 2025 quiz to test your ability to see the truth through #marketing noise from the food industry and beyond:

After multiple delays, an update to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans is finally expected to come out in early January. @foodfixco.bsky.social has broken down what we should expect in this revamp and what this could mean for the next era of #FoodPolicy:

Interested in learning about strategies we can employ to reduce the presence of ultra-processed foods in schools? We discuss this topic (and more!) in our December newsletter: mailchi.mp/uconn/rudd-d... To receive future editions, subscribe to our #FoodPolicy mailing list: bit.ly/2SZtlxC

Over a third of all states will soon limit purchases of unhealthy foods and beverages using food stamps. These restrictions on SNAP purchases will largely take effect next year, reaching more than 14 million participants around the country. #FoodPolicy #News

This year, 15 states have proposed targeting ultraprocessed foods through school bans or labels. The catch? Most have very narrowly defined UPFs as food containing certain additives. This may create confusion and a false sense of progress. #FoodPolicy Learn more from @lindseytaillie.bsky.social:

On Tuesday, San Francisco filed a lawsuit against some of the nation's top food manufacturers, arguing that ultraprocessed foods are responsible for a public health crisis. "They took food and made it unrecognizable and harmful to the human body," said City Attorney David Chiu. #FoodPolicy #News

This #GivingTuesday, please consider donating to your regional food bank. Now more than ever, we need to come together to support the charitable food system and feed those in need. Find your regional @feedingamerica.org food bank here: www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-lo... #FoodPolicy #Health

The way parents talk about weight and body size can have a lasting impact on their children's health and self-esteem. In a new position statement, Dr. Rebecca Puhl and the European Childhood Obesity Group provide guidance about fostering respectful, open, and health-focused dialogue. #Health

Public enemy #1 for nutrition influencers and health leaders? The '90s-era food pyramid. In a new piece for @politifact.bsky.social, @graceabels.bsky.social breaks down the history of dietary guidance in America, from the grain-heavy pyramid to MyPlate and beyond. #FoodPolicy #Health 🧪 #News

Dr. Jennifer Harris, the Rudd Center's Senior Marketing Research Advisor, will be speaking at a webinar hosted by @childrenandscreens.bsky.social next week! #FoodPolicy See below for more info! ⬇️

Yesterday, Caitlin Caspi appeared on @ctpublic.bsky.social to discuss the future of nutrition assistance programs in Connecticut. In 2024, one in nine Connecticuters received benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. #FoodPolicy #News #Connecticut

#News: The Trump administration has threatened to continue withholding critical food aid until the government shutdown is over. This contradicts the administration's previous assertion that they would abide by a court order to keep partial benefits flowing into November. #FoodPolicy #Health #SNAP

Food banks are stepping up as millions of Americans prepare to lose federal food assistance, but it may not be enough. “The charitable food system is there to support families, but it is tiny compared to the amount of money that is available through SNAP" - @marlene-schwartz.bsky.social #Food #News

After the Trump administration announced that they will not pay November food benefits, food banks are bracing for overwhelming demand. The impact of this crisis is expected to resonate well beyond the shutdown. #FoodPolicy #Politics #SNAP #News

For the first time in over a decade, the number of states with obesity rates of 35% or more has dropped. While this is an encouraging sign, cuts to federal staff and programs that address chronic disease could endanger this progress. #FoodPolicy #Health More from @jnaleccia.bsky.social:

Ultraprocessed foods have overtaken grocery shelves and American diets. Now, they are among the greatest health threats of our time. To address our reliance on these hyperpalatable, aggressively marketed products, we first need to understand the history of ultraprocessed foods. #FoodPolicy

SNAP is safe through October, but it may be at risk if the shutdown continues. The food assistance program, which benefits 1 in 8 Americans, is a major piece of the nation's social safety net. Last fiscal year, it provided an average of $187 a month to 41.7 million people. #FoodPolicy

This month, @marlene-schwartz.bsky.social is the Guest Editor of a special issue of JAND focused on #FoodPolicy changes to support children’s health! Topics covered include federal child nutrition programs, beverage policies, and food marketing. More: www.jandonline.org/issue/S2212-...

Despite mixed reactions to the 'Make America Healthy Again' report - especially regarding vaccine policy - there’s potential for bipartisan support for some of its nutrition recommendations. Learn more about the implications of the report for child health and #FoodPolicy in a new @bmj.com article:

Q: Do federal nutrition assistance programs operate during a government shutdown? A: October SNAP benefits will go out as normal, and federally-funded school meals are okay for now. However, WIC could run out of funds in the next 1-2 weeks. #FoodPolicy Learn more in @foodfixco.bsky.social:

Last week, Maria Gombi-Vaca was a panelist at “Identifying Nutritious and Affordable Options in the Current Food Environment." Dr. Gombi-Vaca spoke about how consumers can spot ultraprocessed foods, nutrition ranking in the charitable food system, and more. Watch here: ct-n.com/ctnplayer.as...

#FoodPolicy: Living in a food swamp is associated with greater shopping frequency at unhealthy outlets, less access to healthier food, and increased access to unhealthy food. Learn more in a new Community-Based Participatory Research Study from a team in Hartford, CT: www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22...

The Department of Agriculture announced this week that it will stop collecting data about food insecurity in the U.S. Experts say the move will obscure the effects of recent changes that will lead to people losing food aid. #FoodPolicy #News

#FoodPolicy: Our Director, @marlene-schwartz.bsky.social, is the Guest Editor for JAND's new themed issue: "Child Nutrition and Health Policy." Topics addressed in the issue include universal free school meals, food marketing exposure, WIC participation, and more Learn more here:

A new report reveals that MrBeast, the most popular channel on YouTube, marketed chocolate bars in ways that potentially misled child viewers. “Kids see marketing as another source of information, like parents or teachers" - Jennifer Harris, Senior Marketing Advisor at the Rudd Center #FoodPolicy

Big Food is phasing out artificial dyes and replacing them with natural alternatives like turmeric, beets, and spirulina. The problem? Consumers love bright colors. "Brighter colors are perceived as tasting better, whether the taste changes or not." - @marionnestle.bsky.social #FoodPolicy

Should SNAP recipients be barred from purchasing unhealthy products with their benefits? As more states pass "SNAP junk food bans," we went into the Rudd Center archives to share a paper from 2017 that explores both sides of this ongoing debate: www.ajpmonline.org/article/S074... #FoodPolicy

“The basic idea of supporting farmers, especially smaller farmers, and having them work closely with local school systems isn’t a Democrat or Republican idea. It’s just a good idea." - @marlene-schwartz.bsky.social Learn more in a new #FoodPolicy article from @capitalandmain.bsky.social:

Yesterday, Vishal Narayan visited the Rudd Center to discuss his recent research at @uconnbusiness.bsky.social! Dr. Narayan explores how consumer-level data from social media can help inform marketing and policy decisions. Thanks for joining us at the Rudd Center!

The MAHA Commission plans to explore "potential industry guidelines" to limit the marketing of unhealthy food to children. Most food advertisers currently participate in a voluntary self-regulation program. However, this program has "so many loopholes that it's basically meaningless." #FoodPolicy

Earlier this year, funding was eliminated for two long-running programs that helped schools and food banks feed families in need. Not only will this impact the health of our nation's children, these cuts will hurt local farmers as well.

Q: Do food expiration dates really matter? A: Yes, but interpreting them can be complicated. In the U.S., there are roughly 50 variations of date labels, including “use by,” “sell by,” and “packaged on." All of them can imply different things, and requirements vary between states. #FoodPolicy

Stealth marketing, real impact. Children as young as age 3 are exposed to unhealthy food brand promotions when watching videos on YouTube and YouTube Kids, and most of it flies under the regulatory radar. #FoodPolicy #Health #Parenting

Last week, Marlene Schwartz appeared on the "UConn 360" podcast to discuss the Rudd Center's work! We are so grateful to be part of the @uconnresearch.bsky.social community! Listen to the podcast episode here: uconn.edu/uconn360-pod...

Ultra-processed food consumption is slightly down, but Americans are still getting about 55% of their calories from unhealthy, manufactured products. For kids, the percentage is even higher. #FoodPolicy #Health 🧪 #FoodSystems

Yesterday, Meg Hadley Zimmerman visited the Rudd Center to discuss her work at End Hunger Connecticut! EHC! connects families to nutrition programs and fights for policy solutions that eliminate barriers to food access. You can learn more about their programs here: endhungerct.org #NutmegSky

Actual progress or basic PR? Recently, companies like Kraft Heinz and General Mills have made splashy announcements about eliminating artificial colors from their products. However, experts warn that these "cosmetic changes" will have no actual impact on consumers' health. #FoodPolicy #Health

On average, children in the U.S. obtain nearly 70% of their calories from ultra-processed foods. However, not all children respond to ultra-processed foods in the same way. Learn more about protecting children with "strong food reward drives" in a new #FoodPolicy article from NPR:

Fewer than a third of medical students receive the recommended minimum of 25 hours of nutrition education, and more than half report receiving no formal education on the topic at all. Could including more nutrition education in curricula help reduce weight stigma in healthcare? #FoodPolicy

Q: Would switching from high-fructose corn syrup to cane sugar make Coca-Cola products any healthier? A: Not really. Both additives can equally raise the risk for obesity, diabetes, and high triglycerides and blood pressure. Added sugar in whatever form should be limited. #FoodPolicy #Health