America’s silent killer: How ultra-processed foods dominate our diets and fuel disease

08/10/2025 / By Ava Grace

Over half (55 percent) of Americans’ daily calories come from UPFs—chemically altered, preservative-laden foods linked to cancer, hormone disruption and DNA damage.
Kids aged 6-11 get 65 percent of their calories from UPFs, with school lunches (70 percent ultra-processed) and low-income families disproportionately affected due to affordability.
UPFs are tied to 32 major health conditions, including cancers (colon, breast, pancreatic), heart disease, diabetes, obesity and mental health disorders, causing an estimated 120,000 premature deaths annually.
Aggressive marketing, weak regulations and economic barriers keep UPFs dominant, despite growing public awareness leading to a slight decline (5-6 percent) in consumption since 2013.
The article calls for banning harmful additives, overhauling school lunches, ending predatory marketing and improving access to fresh foods to combat this public health crisis.

Americans are unknowingly poisoning themselves with every meal, as a shocking new report reveals that more than half of the average diet consists of cancer-causing, ultra-processed foods. According to newly published Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, 55 percent of daily calories consumed by adults and children come from chemically altered, preservative-laden products designed to be addictive—and deadly. These foods, packed with artificial additives, are quietly rewriting DNA, disrupting hormones and fueling an alarming rise in cancers among young people. The findings expose a national crisis, driven by corporate greed, government negligence and a food industry that prioritizes profit over public health.

The hidden dangers of ultra-processed foods

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are not just junk food—they are industrial formulations packed with synthetic chemicals, emulsifiers and artificial dyes rarely found in home cooking. These substances extend shelf life, enhance flavor and trigger addictive eating behaviors. The CDC reported that sandwiches, sweet bakery products and savory snacks like chips make up the bulk of these dangerous calories. Even more disturbing, processed deli meats—common in sandwiches—have been directly linked to colon cancer. (Related: The silent brain killer: How ultra-processed foods and MICROPLASTICS fuel mental illness, dementia and autism.)

For children, the situation is worse. Kids aged 6 to 11 get 65 percent of their daily calories from UPFs, while teens consume 62 percent. School lunches, largely funded by federal programs, are a major culprit, with USDA data showing 70 percent of cafeteria meals are ultra-processed. Meanwhile, low-income families, trapped by economic hardship, rely on cheap, processed staples like white bread and sugary snacks—making them 20 percent more likely to consume these toxic foods than wealthier Americans.

A growing epidemic of disease

The consequences are catastrophic. Mounting research connects UPFs to colon, breast and pancreatic cancers, all of which are surging in younger demographics. A recent study in The BMJ linked ultra-processed foods to 32 severe health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, obesity and even mental health disorders. Another report estimated these foods cause over 120,000 premature deaths annually—more than fentanyl overdoses.

The science is clear: additives like emulsifiers, used to give processed meats and sauces a smooth texture, erode gut barriers, triggering inflammation that damages DNA and accelerates tumor growth. Saturated fats and refined sugars fuel obesity, while artificial dyes and preservatives disrupt hormones, contributing to autism and developmental disorders—a fact Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has vowed to address through his “Make America Healthy Again” initiative.

Corporate manipulation and government failure

The answer lies in a perfect storm of corporate manipulation and government failure. Food manufacturers spend billions on marketing, targeting children with cartoon-branded snacks and flooding grocery aisles with deceptive “healthy” labels. Meanwhile, federal dietary guidelines remain weak, allowing schools and food assistance programs to serve processed sludge under the guise of nutrition.

Economic pressures also play a role. Inflation has made fresh produce and organic foods unaffordable for many, while UPFs remain cheap and convenient. Yet, there is a glimmer of hope: consumption of these foods has declined by 5-6% since 2013, suggesting growing public awareness. As Dr. Charles Carlsen noted, families are starting to recognize the dangers—but systemic change is still desperately needed.

A call to action

This is not just a health crisis—it’s a moral failure. For decades, Big Food and complicit regulators have prioritized profits over people, turning the American diet into a slow-acting poison. Parents are fighting back, demanding cleaner school lunches and rejecting processed junk. Policymakers must follow suit by:

Banning harmful additives like emulsifiers and artificial dyes.
Reforming school lunch programs to prioritize whole, unprocessed foods.
Ending deceptive marketing that targets children with unhealthy products.
Expanding access to affordable fresh food in low-income communities.

The CDC’s report is a wake-up call: America is eating itself to death. Ultra-processed foods are not just unhealthy—they are a leading cause of disease, disability and early mortality. While individual choices matter, real change requires holding corporations and government accountable. The conservative values of self-reliance and personal responsibility mean nothing if families are trapped in a system that profits from their sickness. It’s time to demand better—for the children, the future and the survival of a healthy nation.

Watch and learn about the health dangers of ultra processed food.

This video is from The 100% Clean Food Lifestyle channel on Brighteon.com.