Ultra-Processed Food Consumption

The Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living is developing a series of reports, Healthy Children, Healthy State, to raise awareness of child health risk factors in order to develop new programs and actions, and to build on current initiatives in Texas. The Ultra-Processed Food Consumption report showcases the current state of ultra-processed food consumption for children in Texas.

This report was last updated on August 4, 2025 and utilizes the 2021-2023 Texas SPAN data.

Highlights

• Ultra-processed foods are industrial foods and beverages that are high in added sugar, salt, fat, or other additives like food coloring to improve taste, convenience, and shelf life.
• About 90% of grades 4, 8, and 11 students, and 95% of grade 2 students who reported eating sweet or salty snacks during the previous day.
• 39% of Texas children eat fried or processed meat at least once a day.