Ultra-processed foods (UPF) are arguably the nutrition topic of the year, with relentless media articles discussing the health impact of these foods. While scientists have yet to settle on a common UPF definition, regulators are charging ahead with UPF policies to combat rising obesity and non-communicable disease rates. But what do we actually know about these foods, and what do we expect for the UPF policy landscape? Read on to find out.
1. While a plethora of research has connected UPF to negative health outcomes, the science community is still seeking to understand ‘why’ – and a new wave of research may hold the answers.
- Until 2019, no randomized controlled trials existed to indicate whether UPF is the cause of negative health outcomes. Five years later, there are now nearly 30 diverse clinical trials on UPF that will likely help address this question in the near future.
- Government bodies are also helping to build the UPF evidence base, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture releasing a UPF research roadmap in 2023 to guide future studies, and the UK’s House of Lords appointing a Committee earlier this year to assess and report on the role of UPF in a healthy diet.
- Driven by national-level action, we expect this research growth to continue, resulting in rigorous evidence that may answer key questions about the health impacts of UPF and inspire stronger public health measures in the coming years.
2. Despite calls for more science, restrictive UPF regulations are becoming pervasive.
- At least a dozen countries now caution against UPF consumption in their dietary guidelines, with India as one of the latest countries to join the ranks. In the U.S., the recently released Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee considers but does not issue a recommendation on UPF due to a “limited” evidence base. However, the Committee encourages future committees to revisit the evidence on UPF across a broad range of health outcomes once more research is conducted and a more unified UPF definition is reached.
- While dietary guidelines are the primary policy tool used to discourage UPF consumption, a UPF tax in Colombia and ban on UPF in schools in Brazil set the stage for expanded regulations on these foods.
- In the U.S., regulation of UPF has garnered bipartisan interest – with Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders pushing for warning labels on UPF while the Republican nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has stated his plans to “reduce the dominance of [UPF]” through regulatory measures.
- Moving into 2025, expect a greater number of countries discussing – and potentially implementing – policies that discourage UPF consumption through dietary guidelines or broader means.
3. Globally influential authorities are poised to inform the development of additional UPF regulations.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) is in the process of developing guidance on UPF consumption, and for the first time, the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer identified UPF as a priority in-depth research topic for their 2025-2029 agenda, of which the detailed findings would be published publicly.
- Meanwhile, the WHO and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently published a joint statement on the principles of a healthy diet, which cautions against UPF consumption, while also recognizing the need for more research.
- WHO and FAO guidelines often influence the actions of national governments, meaning their current and forthcoming guidance may be a barometer for future policies.
4. Consumer understanding remains a barrier to implementing UPF advice.
- Amidst the ever-growing research, news, and policy dialogues around UPF, consumer perceptions are frequently left out of the conversation.
- Survey data in the U.S., UK and Brazil reveal that consumers cannot fully identify “processed” or “ultra-processed” foods, and struggle to explain what they are.
- While consumers are generally aware of typical ‘junk food,’ they often find it more challenging to identify other ultra-processed foods (as defined by the NOVA classification system), such as pre-made meals, salad dressings, and many plant-based substitutes.
- Gaps in consumer knowledge suggest that there is a lack of effective science communication on this topic, which may hinder the impact of any future UPF policies.
Interested in learning more? FoodMinds’ Global Food & Nutrition Affairs team offers services including 1:1 policy training, stakeholder engagement, coalition building and more. Reach out to us to schedule a call and start the conversation.