Nova classification

TheNova classification(Portuguese:nova classificação, 'new classification') is a framework for grouping edible substances based on the extent and purpose offood processingapplied to them. Researchers at theUniversity of São Paulo,Brazil, proposed the system in 2009.
Nova classifies food into four groups:
The system has been used worldwide innutritionandpublic healthresearch, policy, and guidance as a tool for understanding the health implications of different food products.
The Nova classification grew out of the research ofCarlos Augusto Monteiro. Born in 1948 into a family straddling the divide between poverty and relative affluence in Brazil, Monteiro's journey began as the first member of his family to attend university.His early research in the late 1970s focused onmalnutrition, reflecting the prevailing emphasis in nutrition science of the time.In the mid-1990s, Monteiro observed a significant shift in Brazil's dietary landscape marked by a rise inobesityrates among economically disadvantaged populations, while more affluent areas saw declines. This transformation led him to explore dietary patterns holistically, rather than focusing solely on individual nutrients. Employing statistical methods, Monteiro identified two distinct eating patterns in Brazil: one rooted in traditional foods like rice and beans and another characterized by the consumption of highly processed products.
The classification's name is from the title of the original scientific article in which it was published, 'A new classification of foods' (Portuguese:Uma nova classificação de alimentos).The idea of applying this as the classification's name is credited to Jean-Claude Moubarac of theUniversité de Montréal.The name is often styled in capital letters, NOVA, but it is not an acronym.Recent scientific literature leans towards writing the name as Nova, including papers written with Monteiro's involvement.
The Nova framework presents fourfood groups, defined according the nature, extent, and purpose of industrial food processing applied.Databases such asOpen Food Factsprovide Nova classifications for commercial products based on analysis of their categories and ingredients.Assigning foods to these categories is most straightforward if information is available on food preparation and composition.
The classification's attention tosocialaspects of food give it an intuitive character. This makes it an effective communication tool in public health promotion, since it builds on consumers' established perceptions.At the same time, this characteristic has led some scientists to question whether Nova is suitable forscientific control.By contrast, researchers have successfully developed a quantitative definition forhyperpalatable food.Both proponents and opponents of Nova 'agree that food processing vitally affects human health', but not on its definition of ultra-processing.
Nova is an open classification that refines its definitions gradually through new scientific publications rather than through a central advisory board.
Unprocessed foods are the edible parts of plants, animals,algaeandfungialong withwater.
This group also includes minimally processed foods, which are unprocessed foods modified through industrial methods such as the removal of unwanted parts, crushing, drying, fractioning, grinding,pasteurization, non-alcoholicfermentation,freezing, and other preservation techniques that maintain the food's integrity and do not introducesalt,sugar, oils,fats, or other culinary ingredients. Additives are absent in this group.
Examples include fresh or frozenfruitsandvegetables,grains,legumes, freshmeat,eggs,milk, plainyogurt, and crushedspices.
Processed culinary ingredients are derived from group 1 foods or else from nature by processes such as pressing, refining, grinding, milling, and drying. It also includes substances mined or extracted from nature. These ingredients are primarily used in seasoning and cooking group 1 foods and preparing dishes from scratch. They are typically free of additives, but some products in this group may include added vitamins or minerals, such asiodized salt.
Examples include oils produced through crushingseeds,nuts, or fruits (such asolive oil), salt, sugar, vinegar, starches, honey, syrups extracted from trees, butter, and other substances used to season and cook.
Processed foods are relatively simple food products produced by adding processed culinary ingredients (group 2 substances) such as salt or sugar to unprocessed (group 1) foods.
Processed foods are made or preserved throughbaking,boiling,canning, bottling, and non-alcoholic fermentation. They often use additives to enhanceshelf life, protect the properties of unprocessed food, prevent the spread ofmicroorganisms, or making them more enjoyable.
Examples includecheese, canned vegetables, salted nuts, fruits insyrup, and dried or cannedfish.Breads,pastries,cakes,biscuits,snacks, and some meat products fall into this group when they are made predominantly from group 1 foods with the addition of group 2 ingredients.
The most recent overview of Nova published with Monteiro defines ultra-processed food as follows:
The Nova definition of ultra-processed food does not comment on the nutritional content of food and is not intended to be used fornutrient profiling.
The Nova classification has been increasingly used to evaluate the relationship between the extent of food processing and health outcomes. Epidemiological studies have linked the consumption of ultra-processed foods with obesity, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, depression, and various types of cancer.
Researchers conclude that the creation of ultra-processed foods is primarily motivated by economic considerations within thefood industry. The processes and ingredients used for these foods are specifically designed to maximize profitability by incorporating low-cost ingredients, ensuring long shelf-life, and emphasizing branding.Furthermore, ultra-processed foods are engineered to beconvenientandhyperpalatable, making them a potential replacement for other food groups within the Nova classification, particularly unprocessed or minimally processed foods.As a result, researchers and public health campaigners are using the Nova classification as a means to enhance both human health outcomes and food sustainability.
The system has also been used to inform food and nutrition policies in several countries and international organizations. For example, thePan American Health Organizationhas adopted the Nova classification in its dietary guidelines.
In 2014, the Ministry of Health of Brazil published new dietary guidelines based in part on Nova, crediting Carlos Monteiro as the coordinator. These recommend a 'golden rule', 'Always prefer natural or minimally processed foods and freshly made dishes and meals to ultra-processed foods.' They also set out recommendations corresponding to the Nova groups:
TheFood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nationsrecognized these as the first national dietary guidelines to emphasize 'the social and economic aspects of sustainability, advising people to be wary of advertising, for example, and to avoid ultra-processed foods that are not only bad for health but are seen to undermine traditional food cultures. They stand in contrast to the largely environmental definition of sustainability adopted in the other guidelines.'
The Nova classification does not comment on the nutritional value of food and can be combined with a labelling system such asNutri-Scoreto provide comprehensive guidance on healthy eating.