What’s the difference between processed and ultra-processed food?
The usual definition of a UPF is based on the NOVA classification system, devised by a research group, which divides food and drink into four categories:
1 UNPROCESSED OR MINIMALLY PROCESSED FOODS
These are fundamentally natural foods (plant and animal) that you would prepare and cook at home. They might undergo some minimal processing, such as removing inedible parts, cooking, drying, preserving (freezing) or treatment to make them safer to eat (pasteurising or filtering). Seeds, eggs, milk, meat, fruit and vegetables are all included.
2
PROCESSED INGREDIENTS
Usually culinary ingredients, such as oils, butter, sugar and salt. These are likely to be used in combination with natural foods, and aren’t normally consumed by themselves.