Ultra-processed food (UPF) is a term used to describe industrially formulated edible substances derived from foods or synthesized from other organic sources. These products are often characterized by their convenience, palatability, and long shelf life, and they often contain additives such as colorings, flavorings, and preservatives. Examples of UPFs include ice cream, ham, sausages, crisps, mass-produced bread, breakfast cereals, biscuits, carbonated drinks, fruit-flavored drinks, and many more. UPFs are designed to be hyper-palatable, so people are likely to want to eat more of them.
UPFs are different from minimally processed or unprocessed foods, which are whole foods in which the vitamins and nutrients are still intact. Unprocessed or minimally processed foods would include carrots, apples, raw chicken, melon, and raw, unsalted nuts. Processing changes a food from its natural state. Processed foods are essentially made by adding salt, oil, sugar, or other substances. Most processed foods have two or three ingredients, while UPFs have many more.
The state of research into UPFs and their effects is evolving rapidly as of 2023. Epidemiological data suggest that UPF intake increases the risk of certain diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain types of cancer. Researchers also present UPFs as a facet of environmental degradation caused by the food industry.
