FDA Seeks Data to Define Ultra-Processed Foods, Impacting Food Industry Standards
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seeking data to develop a uniform definition of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), as announced in the July 25, 2025, Federal Register. The FDA is considering the Nova system, a classification developed by Brazilian researchers in 2009, which categorizes foods based on their level of processing. Critics argue that the Nova system focuses solely on processing rather than nutrient density. In response, the Non-GMO Project introduced a Non-UPF Verified Standard in November 2025, aiming to define foods that are not ultra-processed. This initiative seeks to bridge the gap between 'real food' and packaged food, emphasizing the importance of how and why food is processed. The FDA's move comes amid growing discussions about food ingredients and consumer understanding of processed foods. 
