How Politics and Ozempic Are Reshaping What Americans Eat

U.S. grocery shelves are undergoing one of the biggest shake-ups in decades as health politics, weight-loss drugs, and shifting consumer habits collide.

A new “Make America Healthy Again” movement, amplified by figures like Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has pushed food companies to rethink everything from cooking oils to artificial dyes.

At the same time, the explosive rise of Ozempic and other weight-loss medications has fueled a nationwide obsession with protein and fiber, forcing brands to reformulate products to keep up with new eating patterns.

Major food giants like General Mills, Kraft Heinz, PepsiCo, and Campbell’s are racing to remove seed oils, eliminate artificial colors, and swap high-fructose corn syrup for cane or beet sugar. Candy makers are replacing synthetic reds and blues with beet juice, turmeric, and fruit-based coloring.

Snack brands are rolling out chips cooked in avocado and olive oil. The cereal aisle is now packed with protein-boosted versions of familiar brands.

Dairy is also making a comeback. Whole milk, butter, yogurt, and cottage cheese are surging as new federal dietary guidelines back full-fat products and consumers move away from low-fat dogma. At the same time, apps like Yuka allow shoppers to scan labels in the store, turning ingredient lists into buying decisions in real time.

But these changes come with a cost. Reformulating products, switching ingredients, and sourcing premium oils and proteins can drive prices higher — at a time when grocery bills are already rising.