2023-09 Did you know? Facts about processed and ‘ultra-processed’ food

EU Specialty Food Ingredients is pleased to present today its new infographic: ‘Did you know? Facts about processed and ‘ultra-processed’ food‘.

Food processing is any action that helps transform a fresh food into a food or drink product, including through the use of specialty food ingredients. Food processing has been present since the discovery of fire and, thanks to continuous innovation, has hugely benefited our diets and become an integral part of modern society.

Indeed, processed food meets consumer demand for products that are convenient, nutritious, sustainable, tasty and affordable. Nevertheless, there are still reservations and misconceptions about processed and ultra-processed foods and specialty food ingredients are sometimes held hostage to controversies about “processed” or “ultra-processed” foods, which go beyond them.

Actually, the degree of processing is not indicative of the nutritional value of the end product. The number of additives used in processed food depends on the actual technological need and their use is strictly controlled to guarantee consumer safety.

Time for a closer look at this topic: download the new EU Specialty Food Ingredients infographic here.