UConn Rudd Center

Maria Gombi-Vaca speaking into a microphone at a panel event

Maria Gombi-Vaca and Christian Duborg standing in front of flags at the CT Legislative Office Building

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...

Senior man holding a bag of groceries as he rides the bus

#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...

USDA cancels survey tracking how many Americans struggle to get enough food The Department of Agriculture said it will end a longstanding annual food insecurity survey. Experts say the move will obscure the effects of recent changes that will lead to people losing food aid.

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

YouTube video by Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Child Nutrition and Health Policy: JAND October 2025 Theme Issue

#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

Food-makers are phasing out artificial dyes. The problem: Americans love the color Sam's Club is among the food makers removing artificial dyes from products, yet hoping shoppers don't notice a difference in color. But why?

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

An article: "Moving Beyond the Debate Over Restricting Sugary Drinks in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program"

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

MAHA Promised Healthier Kids. But School Lunches May Deliver Less. Cuts to SNAP and farm-to-school programs under the Trump administration risk worsening childhood disease, nutrition experts warn.

“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!

'MAHA' calls for limits on food ads to kids likely to face industry opposition A White House call to curtail the marketing of unhealthy food to children would be vulnerable to industry lobbying that killed previous government efforts, nutrition and public health experts said.

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

Cuts to school lunch and food bank funding mean less fresh produce for children and families The more than $1 billion cut hits already strapped schools and food banks.

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.

Do Food Expiration Dates Really Matter?

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: How are food endorsements on YouTube influencing children? Children are likely to see branded food content for candy, fast food and other unhealthy options while watching YouTube – raising questions about whether regulatory oversight goes far enough according...

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

Episode 137: Rudd Center Studies Various Food Issues | University of Connecticut UConn’s nationally-renowned Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health promotes solutions to food insecurity, poor diet quality, and weight bias through researc ...

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 down a bit, but still more than 50% of U.S. diet Americans get about 55% of our calories from tasty, cheap — and unhealthy — manufactured foods, the latest data from CDC says. For kids, the percentage is even higher.

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

A headshot of Meg Hadley Zimmerman

The green End Hunger Connecticut logo with a animated fork

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

‘It’s just PR’: Skittles, Hershey and Nestle are removing artificial colors | CNN Business The Trump administration declared victory after Kraft Heinz, Skittles and General Mills made splashy announcements to remove artificial colors — even taking credit for Coca-Cola’s plan to replace high...

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

Some kids need more protection from ultra-processed food. Here's why Kids in the U.S. get most of their calories from ultra-processed foods, which are tied to health problems. Now, scientists are finding that kids don't all react to these foods in the same way.

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:

Doctors are biased against higher-weight patients. Can nutrition education help them change? Nutrition education in medical schools can be a chance to emphasize the importance of talking about food without judgment.

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

As Trump pushes for cane sugar in Coca-Cola, is it really better than corn syrup? Both can equally raise the risk for obesity, diabetes and high triglycerides and blood pressure.

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

Doctor looking at a computer screen.

Weight stigma is common in many societal settings, and healthcare is no exception.

Supportive Obesity Care aims to equip healthcare professionals with the tools and knowledge to provide supportive care to patients of diverse body sizes.

🔗: supportiveobesitycare.org

#PublicHealth #Medsky

Brace Yourself for Watery Mayo and Spiky Ice Cream MAHA is coming for emulsifiers.

Watery mayo? Spiky ice cream? Banning emulsifiers may impact the texture of popular foods.

Experts say that distinguishing the ill effects of these additives from those of the foods they’re in is challenging - and a distraction from diet changes that would really improve public health.

#FoodPolicy

1 in 5 college students face food insecurity: Two Connecticut students tell their story - Where We Live Nearly 4 million college students have experienced food insecurity. Here in Connecticut, several colleges have food pantries and programs working to address food insecurity on campus. But addressing...

#FoodPolicy: Nearly 4 million college students have experienced food insecurity.

Yesterday, Caitlin Caspi appeared on "Where We Live" to discuss the root causes of food insecurity on college campuses and strategies to address this issue.

Learn more from @ctpublic.bsky.social:

#NewStudy: Despite ad bans, children as young as age 3 are exposed to unhealthy food brand promotions when viewing videos on YouTube and YouTube Kids.

Read the full study: www.jandonline.org/article/S221...

#FoodPolicy #Health

Rebecca Puhl stands at a podium onstage at the ASMBS annual meeting

#News: Last week, Rebecca Puhl delivered the keynote address at the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (@asmbs.org) Meeting in DC!

Her presentation highlighted strategies to eliminate stigma and ensure equitable, comprehensive care for all people living with obesity.

#ASMBS2025

#News: The Rudd Center is proud to endorse @sbm.org's new position statement in support of continued funding for school meals. 🍎🎒

Read the full statement here: bit.ly/FundingSchoo...

#FoodPolicy #Health

Cuts to school lunch and food bank funding mean less fresh produce for children and families The more than $1 billion cut hits already strapped schools and food banks.

Recent cuts to school lunch and food bank funding mean less fresh produce for children and families.

In a new @theconversation.com piece, @marlene-schwartz.bsky.social discusses the food programs that have been cut, their impact on families, and more.

Read here: theconversation.com/cuts-to-scho...

This mother relies on SNAP to help feed her kids. Now, she's bracing for cuts Millions of people who use the food assistance program SNAP are facing changes: on what food they can buy, how much money they'll receive or even if they'll still qualify for the program.

The proposed budget reconciliation bill includes big changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Some of the 40+ million people who depend on SNAP say they cannot imagine how they will keep themselves and their families fed if these proposals are approved.

#FoodPolicy #Health

Bright pink poster promoting that Marlene Schwartz will be a panelist at the Good Food for All Summit in Washington, DC on June 18th.

We are excited to share that Marlene Schwartz will be participating in the Good Food for All Summit on June 18th, co-hosted by @phanews.bsky.social and the Global Food Institute!

#GFASummit25

We are excited to announce that Rebecca Puhl will be the Mason Keynote Speaker at the ASMBS 2025 Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. later this month!

Learn more about the @asmbs.org event: www.asmbsmeeting.com

#ASMBS2025 #ASMBS #ObesityCare