WHO Releases Draft Food Profiling Model Including Ultra-Processed Food Definition; Public Comments Open
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a draft of its Integrated Food Profiling Model for regulatory measures. This model consolidates various WHO recommendations, including nutrient profiles, sodium benchmarks, trans-fatty acid elimination guidance, and food-environment policies, into a practical framework for regulatory application. The primary goal is to identify industrially produced, pre-packaged foods that should be consumed in moderation within healthy dietary patterns. These identified foods may be subject to regulatory measures aimed at reducing their preference, demand, and consumption. The model operates on two dimensions: nutrient criteria for saturated fatty acids, trans-fatty acids, sugars, and sodium, and the presence of specified ingredients used primarily for sensory purposes, such as flavors, colors, and sweeteners. A product is flagged if it exceeds one or more nutrient criteria or contains one or more of these specified ingredients. The WHO clarifies that the inclusion of flav...