The level of processing our food and drink undergoes does not determine the nutritional content of the final product.
Classifying and legislating food on the basis of the level of processing is not a scientifically-sound approach to food policy and would lead to negative outcomes for our food systems.
FoodDrinkEurope has undertaken a review of more than 85 peer-reviewed scientific papers, examining the evidence on classifying foods by their purported level of processing – including classifying foods as ‘ultra-processed’. The main criticisms, including those of authoritative organisations in Europe, are presented in this paper.
FoodDrinkEurope has not financed, commissioned, or participated in any of this research. Full references and citations are available throughout.
