What is the US Food Quality Ranked Globally?

December 19, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the 2022 Global Food Security Index (GFSI), the United States ranks 3rd globally in food quality and safety, but its overall food security ranking is 13th due to challenges in affordability and availability. This distinction highlights the complex and often misunderstood reality of what is the US food quality ranked, requiring a deeper look beyond surface-level statistics.

Quick Summary

International reports indicate the United States has strong food quality and safety regulations, but its overall food security is impacted by other factors. Differences in regulations compared to other regions, notably Europe, are a source of ongoing debate. Ultra-processed foods and consumer trust issues remain key concerns impacting how US food quality is perceived and experienced by many.

Key Points

High Food Safety Ranking: The US ranks 3rd globally for food quality and safety, per the 2022 Global Food Security Index (GFSI).
Divergent Global Rankings: Despite high safety scores, the overall US food security ranks 13th due to lower scores in availability and affordability.
EU vs. US Regulations: US and European food standards differ primarily due to regulatory philosophies, with the EU taking a more precautionary approach to new ingredients.
Ultra-Processed Food Concern: The prevalence of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in the US diet is a significant health concern, despite high marks in some nutritional categories.
Declining Consumer Confidence: American consumer confidence in the food supply has dropped, influenced by food recalls and perceptions that profit is prioritized over safety.

Official Rankings: The Global Food Security Index

One of the most comprehensive reports on the topic is the Global Food Security Index (GFSI), developed by Economist Impact. In its 2022 report, the GFSI placed the United States 13th out of 113 countries for its overall food security environment. The overall score is a composite of several pillars, and it is here that the nuances of US food quality become clear:

Quality and Safety: The US scored exceptionally high in this area, placing 3rd globally. This score is attributed to strong performance in nutritional standards, protein quality, and food safety mechanisms. The nation's robust regulatory agencies, like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), play a crucial role in maintaining these high standards.
Availability: The US underperforms in this pillar, ranking 31st globally. Weaknesses were noted in areas such as agricultural research and development, and a lack of a national food security strategy.
Affordability: Ranked 29th globally, the US shows good performance in affordability indicators, but still trails other countries.
Sustainability and Adaptation: The US ranks 12th globally in this area, but needs significant improvement in the health of its natural resources like oceans and land.

The US vs. Europe: A Comparison of Food Standards

The most prominent comparison often made regarding US food quality is with Europe, and this is a topic with much misinformation. The perception that European food is universally “better” is a common one, but the reality is more complex. The main differences lie in regulatory philosophies and approved ingredients.

Differing Philosophies: The European Union (EU) tends to follow a more precautionary principle, banning substances unless proven safe. In contrast, the US system, overseen by the FDA, often allows substances until they are proven harmful. This leads to differences in what is permitted in food production.
Case of Food Additives: The disparity is evident with ingredients like BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), a preservative found in some US cereals but banned in Europe. Another example is Quinoline Yellow, a food coloring banned in most European countries but permitted in the US. Conversely, some food colorings allowed in Europe are banned in the US. These differences don't necessarily imply one system is superior overall, but reflect differing approaches to risk management.

The Ultra-Processed Food Factor

A significant aspect of the debate around US food quality centers on the high prevalence of ultra-processed foods (UPFs).

Characteristics of Ultra-Processed Foods:

Often contain high levels of added sugar, sodium, and unhealthy fats.
Typically contain artificial ingredients, emulsifiers, and preservatives.
Are engineered for convenience, taste, and a long shelf-life.

The widespread consumption of UPFs contributes to an obesity epidemic and other health challenges, contrasting with the high-scoring metrics on protein quality in the GFSI. The reliance on fast food and packaged meals is a major obstacle to healthy eating for many Americans.

Consumer Confidence on the Decline

Despite high rankings in food safety metrics, American consumer confidence in the food supply has been trending downward. A 2025 study from the International Food Information Council (IFIC) found that only 55% of Americans were confident in the safety of the US food supply, the lowest point recorded in over a decade.

Reasons for Declining Confidence:

A belief that profit is prioritized over safety by the food industry.
Insufficient government regulations and enforcement.
Frequent food recalls, leading to public skepticism.
Concerns over foodborne illnesses from bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli.

Conclusion: A Mixed Bag of Metrics

So, where does the US truly stand on food quality? Officially, based on international reports, its food quality and safety standards are ranked very high among developed nations, with sophisticated safety mechanisms and high nutritional standards for protein. However, this is only part of the story. The high prevalence of ultra-processed foods, differing regulatory approaches compared to regions like Europe, and a measurable decline in consumer confidence present a more complex picture. While the US food supply is technically safe, concerns about additives, over-processing, and the overall nutritional value of the typical American diet remain valid and are not fully captured by high-level safety rankings.

Comparison Table: US vs. EU Food Quality Considerations


Aspect	United States	European Union (EU)
Regulatory Approach	Preventive, allowing substances until proven unsafe by agencies like the FDA.	Precautionary, banning substances until proven safe by agencies like EFSA.
Food Additives	Permits some additives banned in the EU (e.g., BHT in some cereals).	Prohibits some additives permitted in the US, but allows others that are banned in the US.
Protein Quality (GFSI)	Very strong, scoring high on global metrics.	Scores may differ, with some indicators showing a lower overall protein content compared to the US.
Consumer Perception	Declining confidence driven by concerns over industry motives and recalls.	Heightened consumer skepticism towards additives and pesticides, but differing regulatory structure.
Ultra-Processed Foods	Higher prevalence in the national diet, contributing to health issues.	Increasing presence, but regulatory and consumer pressure for reform.

Lists and Challenges

Strengths of the US Food System:

Robust and sophisticated food safety regulatory system.
Consistently high rankings for food safety and protein quality in global indices.
Abundant and affordable food supply for consumers.
Strong governmental food safety-net programs for those in need.

Challenges Facing the US Food System:

High consumption of ultra-processed foods.
Declining consumer confidence in food safety.
Varying food regulations compared to other nations, leading to consumer confusion.
Sustainability and environmental concerns related to food production.

Frequently Asked Questions

The US and Europe have differing food standards rather than one being objectively 'better.' The EU uses a precautionary principle, banning additives until proven safe, while the US often allows them until proven harmful. This leads to differences in permitted ingredients, but international rankings often show both regions with high food safety scores.

The perception of poor US food quality is influenced by the high prevalence of ultra-processed foods, differing additive regulations compared to other regions, and decreasing consumer confidence. Concerns about additives, pesticides, and frequent food recalls also contribute to this sentiment.

In the 2022 Global Food Security Index, the United States ranked 3rd globally in the specific pillar of Quality and Safety. However, its overall food security ranking was 13th when factoring in other pillars like affordability and availability.

Not necessarily. The allowances reflect different regulatory philosophies and risk tolerances, not definitive proof of danger. While some additives like BHT are linked to health concerns by some studies, the FDA has approved them for use in the US, and many European countries use different, though also not risk-free, standards.

One of the biggest challenges is the high consumption and widespread availability of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). This contrasts with the high safety standards for unprocessed foods and contributes to poor nutritional outcomes despite overall food safety.

Consumer confidence in the safety of the US food supply has been declining. A 2025 study found that only 55% of Americans felt confident, the lowest level in 13 years, with concerns focusing on profit motives, insufficient regulations, and frequent recalls.

Key strengths include robust food safety regulations enforced by agencies like the FDA, high standards for protein quality, and effective food safety-net programs for vulnerable populations. The US also maintains an abundant and affordable food supply.