Introduction to Ultra-Processed Food (UPF)
The document provides an understanding of UPF and the implications associated with consuming such foods.
Summary
Ultra-processed foods (UPF), such as noodles, burgers, and chocolate, which are foods formulated with ingredients with no or rare culinary use, have increasingly become the backbone of what is called a “globalized diet,” dominating the global food supply. These foods, which are low in dietary quality, are hyper-palatable and, in some cases, addictive. The consumption of these foods can lead to malnutrition and non-communicable diseases like diabetes. In Africa, the consumption of UPF is linked to the dual or even triple burden of malnutrition. Therefore, policies must aim to effectively enhance access to diverse foods and restrict the embeddedness of UPF while strengthening local foodways and their ecological, social, and health benefits.
