BELLINGHAM, WA — The term ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has been a buzzy subject among food producers and consumers alike. With government agencies working to define this product category, other organizations such as the Non-GMO Project are making an effort to help consumers identify UPFs.
After announcing the Non-UPF Verified program at the start of the year, the non-profit organization unveiled its first edition.
“Around the world, more people are waking up to the realization that much of what fills our grocery carts is no longer truly food,” said Megan Westgate, CEO and founder of the Non-GMO Project, at a recent webinar regarding the Non-UPF standard. “Doctors and researchers increasingly describe these products as ‘processed edible substances,’ industrial formulations engineered for palatability and shelf life rather than nutrition.”
The verification was conducted by independent technical administrators acting separately from the Non-GMO Project and applicant brands. There are two core criteria under which products are evaluated:
“This is about reconciling the false divide between ‘real food’ and packaged food,” Westgate said. “Processing itself isn’t the enemy; it’s how and why it’s done that matters. The Non-UPF Standard defines a middle ground where convenience and nourishment can genuinely coexist, giving brands a path to make better food and shoppers a reason to trust it.”
Visit the Non-UPF website for the full standard.
