The Non-GMO Project is launching a new program called “Non-UPF Verified.” This program focuses on identifying foods that are not classified as ultraprocessed.
Ultraprocessed foods now make up over half of the calories consumed in many Western countries. This trend has raised concerns about public health. The Food Integrity Collective developed this standard to address what they call an urgent public crisis.
The program is based on an “8-Petal Framework for Food Integrity.” This framework was created with input from experts in the natural foods sector. The pilot phase of this initiative is set to begin this spring.
Megan Westgate, the founder and CEO of the Non-GMO Project, pointed out the growing health risks associated with the Standard American Diet. She noted that today’s food choices can be confusing. In the 1980s, when tobacco companies bought food manufacturers, they applied techniques from addiction science to food production. This led to ultraprocessed foods designed to trigger cravings and disrupt our body’s natural signals that tell us when to stop eating.
Recent research showed that 85% of shoppers want to avoid ultraprocessed foods, but many feel lost in finding alternatives. Westgate emphasized that even knowledgeable consumers sometimes struggle to identify these foods. She noted that, when the organization began addressing GMOs in 2007, they recognized that genetic modification was just one aspect of how the food industry strayed from natural ingredients. Ultraprocessed foods, however, take familiar ingredients and alter them so much that our bodies can’t see them as real food.
The Non-UPF Verified certification will work alongside the existing Butterfly seal. Both aim to help consumers choose foods that benefit their health and the environment. Like the Non-GMO Project Verified label, this new certification will establish clear standards and inspire food manufacturers to provide more minimally processed options.
Check out this related article: Discover McDonough County’s Enhanced ‘Dine Smart’ Site: Your Go-To Resource for Updated Food Safety Inspection Reports!
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