Development of a comprehensive database of markers of ultra-processing to identify ultra-processed food in the UK according to the Nova classification
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Growing evidence links ultra-processed food intake according to the Nova classification with poor health, yet no comprehensive database of additives and food substances of non-culinary use that are markers of ultra-processing exists for the UK. Building the database involved seven steps: (1) obtaining all approved additives in the UK, (2) retrieving all of their technical functions, (3) coding each technical function as cosmetic (marker of ultra-processing) or non-cosmetic (not a marker of ultra-processing), (4) adding ′flavour extracts′, ′natural flavourings′, and ′flavourings′, (5) excluding additives as ultra-processing markers if they served fortification purposes, or were a herb/spice, and (6) adding food substances of non-culinary use defined as markers of ultra-processing in the Nova classification. Lastly, (7) two UPF definitions were constructed based on the ambiguity/overlap of additive technical functions from previous approaches. The database is freely accessible for researchers to improve consistency in using the Nova classification in the UK.
Source: medRxiv
Authors: Samuel J Dicken, Dolly van Tulleken
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7214350990