There is a new interest in Ultra Processed Food or UPF. Consumers are apprehensive about their impact on health. In general, there is a tendency to avoid them altogether. However, recent researchers warn us about the possibility of a connection with fatal illnesses such as cancer and food items belonging to the category of UPF.
Interestingly, there is a tendency to avoid all processed food among people. Therefore, there needs to be more awareness about the differences between different processed foods.
The exact definition of UPF is up for debate. However, here’s how the NOVA food classification system defines, “The NOVA food classification system with its identification and definition of ultra-processed foods is the one that by far has been most applied in the scientific literature.”
The World Health Organization recommends the definition put forward by NOVA. Yet, there are critics as well. For example, some food experts think there needs to be more clarity in the description regarding food processing. Specifically, the definition could be better when aspects like food formation and processing are analyzed in detail.
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The creators of the NOVA classification used the phrase “ultra-processed foods” to categorize a wide variety of goods that are deemed harmful because they have high energy density and poor micro nutrient concentrations.
The NOVA classification’s authors did not doubt food processing in general and even acknowledged some of its advantages.