The term ‘ultra-processed foods’ is increasingly used in research on diet and health, with headlines suggesting consuming these foods leads to increased risk of disease. Yet a new survey from the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) has revealed that people find it difficult to distinguish between foods classed as ultra-processed and other processed foods.

The survey, undertaken by YouGov on behalf of BNF, reveals that 70 percent of British adults had not heard of the term ‘ultra-processed food’ before taking the survey, but 36 percent state they are trying to cut back on some kind of processed foods.

The BNF says the new research aims to analyse people’s understanding of processed and ultra-processed foods and the role they play in the diet. The term ultra-processed foods is usually based on a food classification method called NOVA, which defines ultra-processed foods as those made by industrial processing and that often contain additives such as colours, flavours, emulsifiers or preservatives.

More than one fifth of the survey respondents (21 percent) say that a healthy, balanced diet shouldn’t include any ultra-processed foods, however the survey reveals a lack of understanding of which foods are included in the ultra-processed definition.

When given a list of foods and asked which they would classify as ultra-processed, just eight percent seleced canned baked beans, nine percent low fat fruit yogurt, 12 percent ice cream, and 19 percent pre-packaged sliced bread from a supermarket, despite all of the above being classed according to NOVA as ultra-processed.

“There’s an increasing amount of research on ultra-processed foods and health, and the term is being used more than ever,” said Sara Stanner, Science Director at the BNF.

“But most people still have not heard of the term and are not clear about what it includes. Many foods that would be classified as ultra-processed may not be recognised as such.” Stanner added that while ultra-processed foods are sometimes unhealthy, the two are not mutually exclusive. 

“As well as less healthy items like crisps, cakes, sweets, chocolate and sugary drinks, which many of us need to cut back on, ultra-processed foods can include sliced wholemeal bread and vegetable-based pasta sauces which can be a useful part of a healthy, balanced diet.”

Sixty-nine percent of those surveyed say they agree with the statement that it’s better to cook from scratch than use processed foods, but 53 percent agree that a healthy, balanced diet can include some processed foods, and 49 percent say that processed foods can be convenient and help save time. Twenty-six percent agree with the statement that it is not possible to cook all their meals from scratch.

“There can be a very judgmental attitude towards processed foods, implying that you cannot be eating well if your diet is not made up entirely from ‘real food’ that is cooked from scratch,” Stanner continued.

“But, most foods we eat are processed in some way and processed foods help a lot of us to prepare meals within the limited time and budget we have. Just because something is homemade does not necessarily make it a healthy option – recipes vary widely from the very healthy to the very indulgent.”