Fact checkHealthPublished June 5, 2026
Cornell University researchers: “A survey of 2,000 US adults found large majorities of Democrats, Republicans and independents agree ultra-processed foods are addictive and a major cause of obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.”. Our verdict: True.

The claim

“A survey of 2,000 US adults found large majorities of Democrats, Republicans and independents agree ultra-processed foods are addictive and a major cause of obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.”

Cornell University researchersOfficial recordJune 3, 2026Read the original

A survey published in the American Journal of Public Health.

Our verdict

True

The Cornell-led national survey found more than 60% across parties agreed with those statements.

What we found

The study, led by Jeff Niederdeppe, also found broad bipartisan support for regulation. 'Overwhelming majority' slightly overstates 'more than 60%', but the finding is accurately reported.

The evidence

2 of 2 sources support the claim; none contradict it.

Contradict 0Support 2Background 0
  • Supports the claim

    Americans agree: ultraprocessed foods pose a major health hazard. [1]

  • Supports the claim

    STAT's report on the survey and calls for policy change. [2]

How we checked

We checked the claim against Cornell Chronicle, STAT. We reviewed 2 relevant sources.

Sources

  1. [1]Cornell Chronicle · Americans agree: Ultraprocessed foods pose major health hazard
  2. [2]STAT · Ultra-processed food experts want sweeping policy changes

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