Ultra-processed food has quietly reshaped the American diet, fueling a public health crisis driven by food technology and industrial-scale production, as revealed in this CBS Reports investigation.

Americans are among the world’s biggest consumers of ultra-processed foods, which comprise more than half of an average adult’s diet and two-thirds of a child’s. As technology continues to accelerate innovations in additives, chemicals, and food products, U.S. regulators are struggling to keep up.

CBS Reports examines why ultra-processed foods have become so pervasive in the American diet and what filling the gaps in federal regulation can do to ensure Americans are fed and healthy. Watch more CBS Reports documentaries that delve into the key issues driving the national and global conversation at cbsnews.com/cbs-reports » GO.

What’s on Your Plate? Ultra-Processing Is Undermining Our Health

The rise of ultra-processed foods is no accident—it’s the result of industrial food systems prioritizing convenience over nutrition. But we can still redesign our food future around transparency, sustainability, and wellness.

Klean Industries Supports Food System Transformation Through:

✅ Organic waste-to-energy and nutrient recovery systems
✅ Circular infrastructure for agro-industrial supply chains
✅ ESG and traceability tools via the KleanLoop™ platform
✅ Solutions to reduce food packaging waste and emissions

Partner with Klean Industries to develop healthier, more transparent food and energy systems that nourish people and protect the planet » GO.