Latest news with #ultraprocessed
New York Times
2 days ago
- Health
- New York Times
What Makes a Food Ultraprocessed? The FDA Is About to Weigh In.
The federal government plans to develop a new definition of ultraprocessed foods, a wide-ranging group of snacks, meals and drinks that have become a cornerstone of the American diet. Nutrition researchers generally define ultraprocessed foods as industrially manufactured products that include ingredients you wouldn't find in your own kitchen, like high-fructose corn syrup or hydrogenated oils. The products also often contain artificial flavors, sweeteners and emulsifiers that make them appealing to consumers and can give them a longer shelf life. In crafting its own definition, the government could examine the chemicals and additives put in foods, the number of ingredients in a product or its overall nutritional content. That description could then be used to shape school lunch policy, regulate the foods available through federal services like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or make recommendations about limiting ultraprocessed food consumption in the U.S. dietary guidelines. The Food and Drug Administration, which is leading the effort in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other agencies, plans to seek public comment before setting a definition in the coming months. Dr. Marty Makary, the commissioner of the F. D.A., said he expected the definition would encourage companies to label foods as 'non-ultraprocessed' to entice customers, similar to how food manufacturers market their products as being free from added sugars. 'We do not see ultraprocessed foods as foods to be banned,' he said. 'We see them as foods to be defined so that markets can compete based on health.' The idea that consumers may go out of their way to avoid these items reflects growing concerns about the potential harms of ultraprocessed foods, which include many breakfast cereals, instant noodles, protein bars, meal-replacement shakes, flavored yogurts, hot dogs and more. Scientists have increasingly linked ultraprocessed foods to poor health outcomes, such as Type 2 diabetes, heart issues, some types of cancers and gastrointestinal issues. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Telegraph
21-05-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Zoe's ‘wholefood' supplement is ultra-processed
Zoe's 'wholefood' daily supplement contains ultra-processed food, the advertising watchdog has ruled. The wellness brand, co-founded by Prof Tim Spector, has been vocal in its criticism of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). However, in a ruling on Wednesday, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said Zoe's Daily30+ supplement, which contains 32 different types of plant, had UPFs in it. While there is no precise or uniform definition of UPFs, the group of foods is widely considered to include unhealthy products such as processed meats, crisps, chocolate, flavoured yogurts and fruit drinks, to name a few. Zoe's wholefood supplement is exclusively stocked by Waitrose, which describes it as 'a tasty source of plant protein that's high in fibre, with vitamins, minerals, omega-3 and over 7,000 plant compounds in a deliciously simple package'. The supplement is designed to be sprinkled onto food to add nutritional value.
Washington Post
13-05-2025
- Health
- Washington Post
We analyzed dozens of frozen pizzas. Here are the healthiest options.
In many American households, frozen pizzas are a kitchen staple. That's because frozen pizzas are tasty, convenient and affordable. But many of them have a major downside: They're ultra-processed. They're frequently laden with salt, saturated fat, added sugars and industrial additives like artificial flavors, synthetic preservatives and emulsifiers. Some popular frozen cheese pizza brands have nearly an entire day's worth of saturated fat and 60 percent of your recommended daily sodium intake per serving. Studies show that eating a lot of ultra-processed foods is associated with a higher risk of developing chronic diseases. Health experts say it's a good idea to limit your intake — but that you don't have to avoid them at all costs. For one, it's impractical: Ultra-processed foods make up about 70 percent of all food items sold in grocery stores. And second, you can include some processed foods in your diet and still be healthy. That's because they're not all created equal. We analyzed dozens of frozen pizza brands and discovered that some use mostly simple ingredients like wheat flour, tomato sauce, olive oil, garlic powder and mozzarella cheese, while others contain so many preservatives, flavor enhancers, emulsifiers and artificial ingredients that their ingredients lists can sound like a high school chemistry experiment. Here's how to make frozen pizza a more nutritious meal, red flags to watch out for — and six of the healthiest pizzas we found. You probably shouldn't eat frozen pizza every day, nutrition experts say, but it can still be part of a healthy, occasional lunch or dinner. The key is to purchase a quality brand and to make it part of a balanced meal, said Federica Amati, a medical scientist at Imperial College London and head nutritionist at Zoe, a personalized nutrition company. You could steam some broccoli or chop up carrots and cucumbers to eat with your pizza. Maybe make a hard-boiled egg to go along with it. And have some fresh fruit, walnuts or mixed nuts at the end of your meal, she added. If you want pizza with toppings, choose ones that have veggies such as onion, peppers, mushrooms and spinach. Or better yet, buy a Margherita pizza and add your own veggies at home. If you have kids, put some sliced veggies, corn and olives on the counter and let them choose their own toppings. Kids are more likely to eat veggies if you give them choices and involve them in the cooking process, Amati said. If you want meat toppings, you should add your own — ideally things like grilled chicken or tuna. If you want sausage or pepperoni, buy them separately and look for the 'uncured' versions that advertise low sodium and no added nitrates or nitrites. These two preservatives have been linked to cancer. Do you have a question about healthy eating? Email EatingLab@ and we may answer your question in a future column.
