THE FUSE

Birthday cake protein bars. Low-calorie barbecue chips. Protein soda. Walk through any grocery store today, and you'll find entire aisles dedicated to foods that have mastered the art of sounding healthy. Bold claims splash across every package: "packed with protein," "only 100 calories," "guilt-free." What those labels conveniently leave out is just how ultra-processed these products actually are—synthesized ingredients, artificial flavors, chemical preservatives, and all.