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The core guides
Ultra-Processed Foods: A Beginner’s Guide
What UPFs are, how NOVA works, where the grey areas are and what it means in a real supermarket.
Read the beginner guide ->How to Read Food Labels for UPFs
Know where to look first and which ingredient-list clues matter.
Read the guide ->How We Classify Products
See how we use NOVA, handle uncertainty and explain nuance.
See the methodology ->LATEST FROM LEARN
New practical explainers
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How To Read Food Labels
Quick check Ingredients UPF markers Not automatic Nutrition labels Claims Grey areas Audits Mistakes References QUICK CHECK The 60-Second Label Check When you are in a supermarket, start with the ingredient list. Then look for common UPF markers and judge the whole formulation before worrying about front-of-pack claims. 1 Find the ingredient list Ingredients are…
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NOVA Classification: The 4 Processing Groups
What is NOVA? What NOVA is not Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 Grey areas Audits References 01 What Is The NOVA Classification System? NOVA is a way of grouping foods according to the nature, purpose and extent of the processing used to make them. It was developed by researchers led by Carlos…
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How No More UPF Classifies Foods
Principles Audit workflow Evidence used Verdicts Nuance Limits References 01 Methodology Principles No More UPF uses the NOVA food classification system as the main framework for deciding whether a product is ultra-processed. NOVA classifies foods by the nature, purpose and extent of processing, rather than by calories, sugar, fat, protein or front-of-pack marketing claims. This means our…
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How To Identify Ultra Processed Foods
Quick check UPF markers Not automatic Examples Grey areas Next steps References 01 The 5 Quick Checks There is no single front-of-pack symbol that tells you whether a food is ultra-processed. The most useful first step is to ask what the product is made from and what the extra ingredients are doing. CHECK 1 Is…
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Common UPF Ingredients to Avoid: A Quick Reference Guide
Last Updated: Here’s a list of common ultra-processed food (UPF) ingredients you can use to check products in the UK: Common UPF Ingredients Artificial Sweeteners Preservatives Emulsifiers and Stabilisers Thickeners Flavour Enhancers Hydrogenated Fats and Oils Colouring Agents Additives Print this Tips for Use: Suggestions for this list? Comment below!