Do you know ultra processed foods?

Processed foods are those whereingredients such as oil,sugar or salt are added and they are packaged

Ultra- processed food takes this process one step further by incorporating preservatives, artificial flavors and colors. These foods go through multiple processes (extrusion, molding, milling)and contain many added ingredients and are highly manipulated

The NOVA classification

(NOVA is a name and not an acronym)

It’s a classification system that was developed by an international panel of food scientists and researchers. It splits foods into four categories according to the extent and purpose of food processing, 

It specifies which foods belong in which group, and provides precise definitions of the types of processing underlying each group.

Minimally processed

processed culinary ingredients

Processed foods

Ultra processed foods and drinks

Minimally processed foods:

vegetables, grains, legumes, fruits,nuts, meats, seafood, spices,eggs and milk

Processed foods:

These foods have been altered, but not in a way that’s detrimental to health. They are convenient and help you build nutritious meals.: These are Simple bread, cheese, tofu, canned vegetables, canned fish, yogurt, smoked meat

Ultra-processed foods:

Formulation of food substances modified by chemical processes and then assembled into "ready to consume" hyper palatable food and drink products using flavors, colors, emulsifiers and other cosmetic additives 

• Industrial processes include hydrogenation, hydrolysis, extrusion, moulding, reshaping, and pre-processing by frying. Flavoring agents, colors, emulsifiers, humectants, non-sugar sweeteners,  

• These foods are microbiologically safe, convenient, and highly palatable.

  The aim is to create durable, convenient and palatable ready-to-eat or ready-to-heat food products suitable to be consumed as snacks 

 Ultra-processed foods 

• Higher content of total fat, saturated fat, added sugar, 
• High calories
• High salt, 
• Lower fibre and vitamin density,   
•  
• Which foods are ultra processed?

• Mass produced packaged breads and buns,
• Sweet or savory packaged snacks, 
• confectionery and desserts,
• Soft drinks
• Sweetened beverages,
• Chocolates
• Meatballs, poultry and fish nuggets,
• Sweetened breakfast cereals
• Packaged soups
• Chicken nuggets
• Hot dogs
• Reconstituted meat products transformed with the addition of preservatives other than salt (eg, nitrites),
• Chips
• Instant noodles and soups, 
• frozen or shelf stable ready meals, 

Health risks

Increased cardiovascular risk:
Elevated cholesterol, 
Hypertension
Obesity

• These foods might affect satiety control  
•  food processing affects nutrient availability in the small intestine by altering the properties of the plant and animal cells in food. 
• several compounds are neo formed and unhealthy during the process .