Can we just talk about....Ultra Processed Foods and hidden ingredients?

So here’s the thing: despite the enormous amount of media coverage across all channels social, print, general broadcast and some very high-profile TV programmes, it would seem that not everyone seems to be aware of what Ultra Processed Foods are (or UPF, for short), or the long-term health dangers they pose.

Otherwise, why do people in Britain consume more ultra-processed foods than any other country in Europe? According to a report compiled by Food Facts (a UK not-for-profit organisation, campaigning for food transparency), children’s diets are particularly imbalanced – a concern which was raised in an eye-opening news story on 12^th May in the Guardian and across all major news outlets, that children as young as four are being treated by the NHS for obesity. Children deserve better, don’t they?

Actually, we all do. Which is why it is incredibly important to be informed and not only to understand what UPFs are, but why they’re so prevalent in the UK and what you can do about them.

What are UPFs? Are they unidentified crafts from outer space?

Well, there are quite a few unidentified ingredients in UPFs, that’s for sure. In basic terms, the Food Standards Agency sums up UPFs as: “….formulations of ingredients, mostly of exclusive industrial use, typically created by a series of industrial techniques and processes….” Adding: “Some people have also defined ultra-processed foods as foods which contain ingredients that you might not find in your kitchen cupboard (for example, types of additives or emulsifiers or stabilisers)” (love the – ‘you might not find…’ Note to self: must stock up on industrial emulsifier) and that examples might include: “…sweetened breakfast cereals, carbonated soft drinks or confectionery. They might also include low fat spreads or some flavoured yogurts”.

That’s quite a lot to be tucking into, just for starters – let alone before we serve the main course or pudding. The interesting words here are ‘industrial use’ and ‘industrial techniques and processes’ because no food label will tell you if any of the ingredients are genetically modified, either.

If you cook something really basic at home, you know – a quick fix supper like pasta, soup or even good old cheese on toast – for those times when you’re tired, hungry and there’s only a few basic ingredients to hand, any of those dishes will take just a few ingredients to create something delicious and nutritious from scratch. Or, of course, you can put something in the oven or microwave (ping!) which could be easier, but might contain, e.g.: …”(6%) Pork, Pork Fat, Salt, Dextrose, Paprika, Chilli Powder, Rapeseed Oil, Garlic Powder, Black Pepper, Flavouring, Ginger, Antioxidant (Sodium Ascorbate), Preservative (Sodium Nitrite)”.

These ingredients are from one of the UK’s leading supermarkets, for an own-label pasta bake dish with pepperoni… except – those ingredients are just for the pepperoni alone – just the pepperoni – which contains only 6% pork – isn’t that slightly worrying? What sort of flavouring, too – and why? What is the remaining 94% of the pepperoni made of?

Why are more processed foods consumed in the UK?

In simple terms, it would seem it’s to do with the way food systems are run in the UK; the supermarkets and their investors have incredible power, which successive Governments have done nothing to balance up. We’re being manipulated into choosing convenience foods, by corporations with an active interest – but not our best interests – in the food system, from the food production companies, to the supermarkets, to financial investors and the makers of artificial ingredients (££££….). As Food Facts reports: “….the system itself is designed to make unhealthy food the cheapest and most convenient option”. Which could also suggest that this food is being imposed upon us by limiting our choices, supported by the relentless marketing, greenwashing and ‘special’ offers, which are another form of pressure.

How do I avoid them when I may not be able to cook everything from scratch?

Being informed is the best way, read and understand food labels and at least reduce the amount you eat, if you can. As public awareness of UPFs increases, the food companies are becoming more skilled at hiding artificial ingredients. Do you know what L-Cysteine is, also shown as E920 on a food label? Next time you’re looking at your favourite type of bread, cakes, packet of biscuits or similar products, check for E920 – because it’sderived from human hair – possibly even pigs’ bristles. No, we don’t serve that on our food at home, either, but you might be eating it without knowing. If you can, also avoid anything that contains ‘treatment agents’. This is just another term for additives.

One of the other easy identification methods is the list of ingredients – if it’s overly long and contains items you can’t understand, then avoid those products, but those crafty people at M&S seem to be on top of this, too, introducing their ‘Only….ingredients’ range, which claims, on the label, that the product contains, e.g., only 3 or only 4 ingredients. Don’t be fooled – as nutritionist Milena Kaler stated, when reviewing the M&S range in the METRO newspaper: “fewer ingredients doesn’t automatically equal healthier”, advising that it’s the quality, the source and the type of the ingredients that counts. Oh and did we mention that M&S was taken to court last year by the Real Bread Campaign, for claiming some of their bread had only 4 ingredients?

We don’t want to put you off your food, but… well, define food. Surely, the most natural ingredients, produced without additives, chemicals or industrial processes are what we all deserve – especially our children.

Here are some suggestions to interesting and informative articles, but if you’d like to know more on this subject, (think of it as second helpings) please undertake your own research. You’ll find plenty more where this came from:

Food Facts

https://www.foodfacts.org/articles/britains-diet-crisis-why-whole-foods-priority-food-policy

Food Standards Agency/UPF definition:

https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/ultra-processed-foods

The Guardian on childhood obesity

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/may/12/more-than-6000-children-treated-at-obesity-clinics-in-england-figures-show

METRO newspaper on M&S ‘Only Ingredients’ range