- A new UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) study found the public feels largely uninformed about ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and their potential health impacts.
- Participants expressed widespread concerns that UPFs could negatively affect pregnancy, child development, mental health, obesity and increase the risk of diseases such as cancer.
- The report highlighted that 56 per cent of calories consumed in the UK come from UPFs, increasing to 68 per cent in teenagers, a figure significantly higher than in countries like France and Italy.
- The public distrusts industry messaging, describing UPF advertising as “insidious” and “lulling people into a false sense of security,” and called for immediate government action, especially regarding child health.
- People want clearer guidance on which UPFs are better or worse and if they can be part of a healthy diet, with UKRI committing to further research to provide impartial evidence.
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