4-H Healthy Living Committee by Ashley Verdonk
Whether you’re an avid news reader, TikTok scroller, or Facebook user, you’ve likely encountered discussions about processed and ultra-processed foods (UPFs). You may have also seen content from influencers, bloggers, and journalists promoting whole food diets as a way to avoid the health risks associated with UPFs. Globally, concern about UPFs has been growing, especially since 2009, when the NOVA classification system was first introduced.
NOVA groups foods into four categories based on the extent and purpose of their processing, ranging from minimally processed to ultra-processed. The term “processed food” has developed a negative reputation in everyday language. However, the NOVA classification system shows that nearly all of the food available at your local grocery store has been processed to some degree—and for good reason. Food processing helps extend shelf life, enhances food safety, and increases accessibility while reducing food scarcity. In fact, consuming a combination of processed foods, processed culinary ingredients, and minimally processed foods has been a well-established dietary pattern around the world for thousands of years for these very reasons. It is UPFs that are a relatively recent addition to the modern diet, and they currently make up over half of the total calories consumed in the United States.
