Ultra-processedfood (UPF) is something you wouldn’t be able to recreate in your own kitchen. If you don’t recognise some of the ingredients on the label, it’s likely to be an ultra-processed food. It’s manufactured to be convenient and cheap, have a long shelf-life and generally be ready to eat or heat. These foods are designed to be hyper-palatable, so you’re likely to want to eat more of them.
Typically, industrially produced UPFs contain additives, such as artificial flavours, emulsifiers, colouring and sweeteners (which are often cheaper and less likely to go off than natural ingredients), as well as preservatives to increase shelf-life. These foods may also contain substances from the packaging that they come into contact with. Examples include confectionery, fried snacks, processed meats, cakes and biscuits. These foods tend to be energy dense but low in nutrients, so aren’t considered to be good for you.
The UK is one of the biggest consumers of UPFs per head in Europe, and manufacturers are producing more and more of these cheap industrial foodstuffs. Turn the page for more on these. •
also in this section