Processed foods were actually a boon in the 50s because they were much better than the alternative, which was often rotten food or simply starving. Famine was a

Processed foods were actually a boon in the 50s because they were much better than the alternative, which was often rotten food or simply starving. Famine was a real danger late into the 20th century even in the USA. The memories of WWII and Dust Bowl famine were still fresh in adults' minds. And foods spoiled quickly unless pickled, refrigerated, etc. So anything that could prolong the shelf life and make the food supply stretch while still remaining appetizing was welcome from a food security standpoint -- even with all those additives and preservatives. The trope of "starving kids in China would be glad to eat that" was a thing for a reason; under Chairman Mao people really were starving in China, and starvation was still almost at your doorstep even in the USA. These days we have agro-tech out the wazoo and can, potentially, feed billions with fresh crops reliably and relatively cheaply, so the processed stuff doesn't have the advantages it once had and numerous disadvantages.