UConn Rudd Center

Learn more about deceptive marketing tactics like this on our food marketing homepage: uconnruddcenter.org/research/foo...

Bags of new "Simply NKD" Cheetos and Doritos with no artificial dyes or flavors.

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

How the new dietary guidelines could impact school meals Cutting back on ready-to-eat meals won't be easy, and whole milk may make a comeback. One thing that's certain: It'll be a while before the new guidelines trickle down to schools.

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

A graphic promoting a new module on the "Supportive Obesity Care" website. The module is titled "Tools for Dietitians," and it contains videos, handouts, and other resources to provide dietetics professionals with strategies to combat weight stigma.

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 tested baby foods are ultraprocessed and full of additives | CNN A majority of tested baby foods are ultraprocessed, packed with potentially harmful additives, sugars and salt, a new study found.

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

Learn more about misleading advertising tactics on our food marketing homepage: uconnruddcenter.org/research/foo...

Graphic with pictures of new "Pop-Tarts Protein" boxes. The words "High In Protein" are at the top of the graphic. The words "and added sugar, sodium, artificial colors..." are at the bottom.

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

References:
Puhl, R. M., Lessard, L. M., Pearl, R. L., Himmelstein, M. S., & Foster, G. D. (2021)

Copyright © 2026 UConn Rudd Center. All rights reserved.
MMAT-00777 © 2026 Lilly USA, LLC. All rights reserved.

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

Twix Is OK but Granola Isn’t as States Deploy New Food Stamp Rules

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

Memorial graphic for MyPlate. The words "In Loving Memory" are displayed above a picture of the MyPlate symbol. The dates MyPlate was used (June 2, 2011 - January 7, 2026) are shown below with the words "forever in our hearts."

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!

5 things we want to see in the 2025 Dietary Guidelines CSPI's wish list for the 2025 Dietary Guidelines for added sugars, saturated fat, sweetened beverages, alcohol consumption, low-fat milk, and more.

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

2025 Reasonable Consumer Quiz - See how you stack up.

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:

What to expect from the dietary guidelines revamp next month Why the Trump administration’s revamp of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans is likely to spark chaos — and perhaps a new era for nutrition advice.

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:

Header image of the UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health's December 2025 newsletter

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

Agriculture Department Approves More Soda Bans for Food Stamps

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

Opinion | Can We Agree Kids Don’t Need Doritos at School?

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:

San Francisco sues nation's top food manufacturers over ultraprocessed foods The city of San Francisco filed a lawsuit against some top food manufacturers on Tuesday, arguing that ultraprocessed food from the likes of Coca-Cola and Nestle are responsible for a health crisis.

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

Colorful produce with a Giving Tuesday logo

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

Parental Communication in the Prevention and Treatment of Child and Adolescent Obesity: A Position Statement of the European Childhood Obesity Group - PubMed Parental communication plays a critical role in weight-related health of children and adolescents and requires a balanced, thoughtful and supportive approach. The European Childhood Obesity Group (ECOG) convened a panel of experts to discuss the topic of parental communication in the prevention and …

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

How influential was the food pyramid of the 90s? Many health influencers blame the ‘90s-era food pyramid for Americans' poor health, even though it was replaced by MyPlate in 2011. What is the history of that triangle, and what actually makes up a “...

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! ⬇️

The future of SNAP Benefits: What we know so far The continuation of the government shutdown means that residents receiving SNAP benefits could go without support for the foreseeable future. Over 360,000 Connecticut residents receive SNAP benefits.

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

Trump threatens to withhold SNAP benefits despite court order | CNN Politics President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to withhold critical food aid until the government shutdown is over, despite his administration’s assertion to a court earlier this week that it would cont...

#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

A hunger cliff is days away. Women, children and food banks will feel it first. Food banks will face logistical and financial challenges in providing the resources currently offered by the SNAP and WIC programs that are set to lose funding.

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

Food Banks Brace for Overwhelming Demand as SNAP Cutoff Looms

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

Obesity remains high in the US, but more states are showing progress, a new report finds For the first time in more than a decade, the number of states with rates of obesity of 35% or more has dropped.

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:

How Ultraprocessed Food Took Over America

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

Food assistance is safe through October, but it may be at risk if the shutdown continues About 40 million people could see food assistance disappear next month if the federal government shutdown continues. The U.S.

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