Ultra processed food and health

Although plant-based protein-rich (PBPR) foods contain nutritionally bioactive compounds, they are often classified as ultra-processed foods, which most consumers perceive as unhealthy. Using a non-targeted metabolomic approach, this study shows that existing food classification systems do not consider the biochemical composition of PBPR foods, potentially misleading consumers to avoid these products.

Information on the degree of processing of food items is key for better consumer choices. GroceryDB is a dataset with more than 50,000 food items sold at major grocery stores in the United States that uses big data to provide information on processing—categorized by store, food category and price range.

Policies on ultra-processed foods (UPFs) can help drive food system transformation, but the extent to which the current policy and regulatory landscape contributes to this transformation remains unclear. Based on three different food policy, public health and regulatory frameworks, this study identifies UPF-related regulatory interventions implemented by national governments worldwide and analyses their scope and strength.

The food industry has created ultra-processed food-like products that disrupt nature’s biological matrix and exploit our innate preferences for sugar, salt and fat — with the goal of encouraging overconsumption and maximizing profit. Increases in obesity, other nutrition-related non-communicable diseases and environmental harms have occurred as a result. Only major political commitments and the adoption of healthy food policies will curb ultra-processed food’s negative impact on global planetary and human health.