Dr. Saphier rips TIME article suggesting ultra-processed foods aren't as bad as you think: 'Irresponsible'

Health advocates brought a recent TIME Magazine article under fire for appearing to suggest ultra-processed foods (UPFs) might not be "as bad as you think."

The article, published last week, followed one California-based dietitian's fight against the "mounting war on ultra-processed foods" and why they are excessively demonized, including a widespread neglect to address food insecurity and UPF consumption among marginalized groups.

The article also links to a 2024 study which found that those who consume processed foods can still be healthy and suggested that "although the researchers did find links between heavily processed diets and risk of premature death," overall diet may be the more important factor.

"Some of these articles really are irresponsible in their messaging," Fox News medical contributor Dr. Nicole Saphier said Sunday.

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"When we're talking about food, obviously, walking outside, getting your fresh fruits and vegetables and even animal products, farm-to-table is the healthiest thing you could possibly do, but we also have a lot of minimally processed foods, like olive oil [and] tuna fish, because it's changed from its natural state, and now it's put into oil or given some salt. But then what we're really talking about here are those ultra-processed foods, which not only has changed from its natural state, but additives, chemicals, preservatives and even dyes and artificial flavorings are now being added to it."

Saphier explained that food items with a shelf life beyond two weeks are likely ultra-processed.

"Not all ultra-processed foods are equally bad for you," she continued. "But the bottom line is – it's all kind of bad for you, so the messaging shouldn't be, 'Well, they're not that bad.' The messaging should be. 'How can we get healthier, more nutritious foods to into the people's homes so they're not reliant on cheaper unhealthier alternatives?'"

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Just last year, another TIME article labeled, "Why Ultra-Processed Foods Are So Bad for You," linked ultra-processed foods to increased risk of dementia, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and other comorbidities while sounding alarm bells over foods with ten or more ingredients and long shelf lives.

Though last week's article makes no mention of either figure, some speculate the change came after former Independent presidential candidate RFK, Jr. and former President Donald Trump joined forces partially under the pledge to "Make America Healthy Again." 

"This is how they tell liberals what to think," Kennedy Jr. wrote on X in response to critics pointing out the conflicting TIME articles.

Kennedy has specifically homed in on the link between ultra-processed foods and chronic disease, particularly in children.

"We are mass poisoning all of our children and our adults," he insisted previously. 

Ex-Labor secretary Robert Reich claims Elon Musk 'out of control,' says regulators should 'threaten arrest'

Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich, who served during Bill Clinton's presidency, wrote in a column published Friday that Elon Musk was "out of control," and argued he needed to be reined in.

"He may be the richest man in the world. He may own one of the world’s most influential social media platforms. But that doesn’t mean we’re powerless to stop him," Reich wrote, including a list of six things people could do to rein in Musk. 

After Musk purchased Twitter in 2022, now known as X, Reich deemed the purchase "dangerous nonsense." He argued Musk's purchase was "just about power," rather than free speech.

Reich called on people to boycott Tesla and X and added, "Regulators around the world should threaten Musk with arrest if he doesn’t stop disseminating lies and hate on X."

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Reich argued that global regulators might already be considering threatening Musk with an arrest, citing France's arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov.

Durov was arrested at Le Bourget airport outside Paris last week as part of a sweeping investigation opened earlier this year. French prosecutors alleged that he allowed criminal activity on the messaging app, and judges ordered him to pay 5 million euros bail. Allegations against Durov include that his platform is being used for child sexual abuse material and drug trafficking, and that Telegram refused to share information or documents with investigators when required by law.

"In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission should demand that Musk take down lies that are likely to endanger individuals – and if he does not, sue him under Section Five of the FTC Act," Reich argued. "Musk’s free-speech rights under the first amendment don’t take precedence over the public interest."

The former labor secretary also suggested the U.S. government terminate its contracts with Musk's Space X. 

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"Why is the US government allowing Musk’s satellites and rocket launchers to become crucial to the nation’s security when he’s shown utter disregard for the public interest? Why give Musk more economic power when he repeatedly abuses it and demonstrates contempt for the public good?" he wrote.

Reich's final suggestion was that Americans "make sure Musk's favorite candidate for president is not elected."

Musk endorsed Donald Trump after the former president narrowly avoided an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. 

Fox News' Brian Flood contributed to this report.