UPFs are linked to a range of health problems. But no-one seems able to agree on why.
Published27 September 2026, 00:03 BST
Going to the supermarket has become a minefield
I’m in aisle 15, reading long lists of ingredients and worrying if what’s in my trolley is good for me or not
There’s growing evidence, external that a hefty proportion of the food we consume could be damaging to our health, with ultra-processed foods (UPFs) linked to a range of health problems
But I’ve had enough of second-guessing myself and panicking I’m poisoning my child if I feed him chicken nuggets, so I’ve given my shopping list to a dietitian to analyse
Even the most chemical-sounding ingredients in chicken nuggets are tested and approved under UK food laws
First things first, what is a UPF
It depends who you ask. A basic rule of thumb is that to be ultra-processed a product needs more than five ingredients, with at least one not normally found in your kitchen – things like emulsifiers, additives and flavourings
There is a large and growing body of evidence that shows UPFs are linked to obesity, cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders such as diabetes, as well as mental health problems and even premature death
div
Source: BBC News English
