health

Human "biology was never intended to handle" ultraprocessed foods, former FDA head David Kessler warns

August 9, 2026 / 7:00 PM EDT / CBS News

Human "biology was never intended to handle" ultraprocessed foods, former FDA head David Kessler warns

TL;DR

  • Ultraprocessed foods are not recognized by human biology and contribute to addiction and chronic diseases.
  • These foods are engineered with specific ingredients to be hyper-palatable and override natural satiety.
  • The food industry prioritizes profit over health by manipulating food composition.
  • Returning to whole, unprocessed foods is presented as a solution to combat the negative effects of ultraprocessed diets.
  • Ultraprocessed foods contribute to a range of health issues including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.