Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) were first described a decade ago. An uptick in science and news coverage in 2022-2023 has brought new energy to the topic. UPFs are being explored in the 2025-2030 U.S. Dietary Guidelines process (USDA, 2023) and the concept behind them is under vigorous debate.
But is this concept ready for North American policy – or is more science needed to support formally incorporating the concept of UPF into existing tools and guidance?