For years, health experts have warned about the risks of eating too many ultra-processed foods. But what exactly makes a food “ultra-processed” — and is it always bad for you?
A team of researchers behind the nutrition app WISEcode says the answer is more complicated than current systems suggest. They've developed a new classification method that scores processed foods based on what actually matters: the health effects of the ingredients.
“WISEcode’s approach is more nuanced and objective than previous classification systems,” said Richard Black, PhD, WISEcode’s chief scientific officer and an adjunct professor at Tufts University. “It can provide a clear method for assessing processed foods and selecting healthier options, even within heavily processed food categories.”
The most widely used system today, known as Nova, groups foods into four categories based mostly on how they’re made. But that’s led to some confusing results: candy bars and fiber-rich whole grain cereals can both be labeled “ultra-processed,” despite very different impacts on health.
In contrast, WISEcode’s scoring system considers:
The health effects of specific ingredients
The percentage of calories from added sugars
Known concerns tied to certain food additives
When tested across a massive database of over 650,000 foods and 5,500 ingredients, the new system broke the “ultra-processed” category into five new levels, from “minimal” to “super-ultra.” That allows for much more clarity and distinction across common foods.
“While Nova has played an important role in raising awareness about food processing, its one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t seem to reflect the complexity of modern food formulations or the diversity of their health impacts,” Black said.
And the system is built to evolve. As science advances, the scores will be updated to reflect new research. That means better tools for consumers and a chance to rethink how we talk about processed food in everyday life.
This research was funded by WISEcode, LLC.