Newsletter
Contact
Most foods we eat undergo some form of processing, but some foods are more heavily processed than others. This resource explains what ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are, how they differ from other types of processed foods, and what research says about their potential health impacts. It also offers practical tips to help people identify UPFs and make informed food choices while considering factors such as nutrition, cost, and convenience.
Published: August 2026
Publisher: Public Health Communications Collaborative
Age Groups: Adolescents (grades 9 to 12), Adults and Families, Elementary-age children (grades K to 5), Pregnant women, infants and toddlers (ages 0 to 2), Preschool-age children (ages 3 to 5), Young adolescents (grades 6 to 8)
Focus Areas: Diet Quality & Healthy Weight, Healthy Communities
Resource Type: Fact Sheet
Keywords: Food formulation, Grocery store, Healthy weight, Snacks, Supermarket
Related Research
May 2026
A Pediatric Perspective on the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines
Clear, evidence-based guidance on what foods and beverages children and adolescents should consume—and in what amounts—is foundational for promoting healthy growth and preventing diet-related chronic disease across the life course. Yet many children and adolescents in the US continue to have diets of poor nutritional quality. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs), issued every 5 MoreMay 2026
A Snapshot of Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA)
This resource, developed in partnership with Public Health Communications Collaborative, provides a snapshot of the most recent changes to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), including which foods adults should eat to maintain health and reduce the risk of chronic disease, which foods should be limited based on a standard 2000-calorie diet, and what to MoreApril 2026