Ultra-processed foods, also referred to as ultra-processed food products (UPP), is a category of food and drink products in the NOVA food classification system, characterized by having undergone specified types of food processing

Epidemiological data suggests that ultra-processed food intake can increase the risk of certain diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes and cancer. Some countries have introduced dietary recommendations and other measures to reduce ultra-processed food intake. Some studies consider ultra-processed foods to have higher environmental impacts than fresh foods.

The concept of ultra-processed foods is not universally accepted and is currently discussed among nutrition and public health scientists. Key criticisms are the ambiguity of the definition and the inclusion of foods in the category that are considered healthy under the nutrient profile system.

Definition 
Ultra processed food is a classification in the NOVA food classification system (a name, not an acronym). The system was initially developed by the Brazilian nutrition researcher Carlos Monteiro, with his team at the Center for Epidemiological Research in Nutrition and Health (NUPENS) at the University of São Paulo, Brazil. The system places focus on food processing rather than foods types or nutrients -- which are used in most other food categorization systems. NOVA categorises foods into four categories:

 Unprocessed or minimally processed foods
 Processed culinary ingredients
 Processed foods
 Ultra processed food and drink products

Processing as such is essential, and virtually all food is processed in some way. The term ultra-processing refers to the processing of industrial ingredients derived from foods, for example by extruding, moulding, re-shaping, hydrogenation, and hydrolysis. Ultra-processed foods generally also include additives such as preservatives, sweeteners, sensory enhancers, colourants, flavours, and processing aids, but little or no whole food. Infant formula and medical food are also considered ultra-processed. However, food additives are not necessarily a marker of ultra-processed foods as the use of preservatives, for example antioxidant or nitrite, are permitted for category 3.

The definition is currently not used by the European Food Safety Authority or the Food and Drug Administration for regulatory purposes.

Economics 
Ultra-processed foods are an important part of the portfolio of the food industry because they rely on low cost ingredients and often enjoy higher profit margins. They often have an extended shelf life, an important consideration for lower income consumers without reliable access to refrigeration. Among other reasons for the popularity of ultra-processed foods are the inexpensive cost of their main ingredients and aggressive marketing, especially toward youth consumers and particularly in middle income countries.

Health effects 
Epidemiological data suggests that ultra-processed food intake can increase the risk of certain diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes and cancer and an approximately 20% higher risk of earlier death.  A 2023 review found that high consumption of ultra-processed food is associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer.

Environmental impacts 
Ultra-processed foods have higher environmental impacts than fresh foods.

Policy 
Four Latin American countries—Brazil, Uruguay, Peru, and Ecuador—have so far published national official dietary guidelines that recommend avoiding ultra-processed foods. Chile requires warning labels on some ultra-processed foods and taxes sugar-sweetened beverages. A report on obesity published by the World Bank in 2020 mentions ultra-processed foods as a potential contributor. The Nordic nutrition guidelines do not advice against the intake of ultra-processed foods and a statement by the UK's Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) considers the evidence currently available to be insufficient to make recommendations.

See also 
 Consumer Goods Forum
 Food marketing
 Food politics
 Epidemiology of obesity
 Junk food

References

Food processing