UK Government Calls For , Classification System to Define, Ultra-Processed Foods.
According to government scientists, evidence linking ultra-processed foods to a number of health issues "needs to be treated with caution.".
'The Independent' reports that the U.K. Government’s Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) say there are, “uncertainties around the quality of evidence available.”.
The evidence base for adverse effects is based on a small number of observational studies that have known limitations: ultra-processed foods might be an indicator of an overall unhealthy lifestyle, Gunter Kuhnle, Professor of nutrition and food science at the University of Reading, via 'The Independent'.
The evidence base for adverse effects is based on a small number of observational studies that have known limitations: ultra-processed foods might be an indicator of an overall unhealthy lifestyle, Gunter Kuhnle, Professor of nutrition and food science at the University of Reading, via 'The Independent'.
Previously, research linked ultra-processed foods to health concerns that include cancer, weight gain and heart disease.
According to U.K. government scientists, while the suggested links are "concerning," further studies need to be conducted to investigate any possible connections.
The systematic reviews identified have consistently reported that increased consumption of (ultra-)processed foods was associated with increased risks of adverse health outcomes.
However, there are uncertainties around the quality of evidence available, Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition, via 'The Independent'.
According to the scientists, it is difficult to define what is considered an ultra-processed food.
Studies are almost exclusively observational and confounding factors or key variables such as energy intake, body mass index, smoking and socioeconomic status may not be adequately accounted for, Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition, via 'The Independent'.
'The Independent' reports that experts have called for a food classification system to assess which foods are considered ultra-processed.
The scientific committee called for the , “development of an ultra-processed foods classification system that can reliably be applied to estimate consumption of processed foods in the UK”
