WHO Sets Global Agenda on Ultra-Processed Food Consumption

The World Health Organization (WHO) is now setting global guidance on the quantity and frequency of food intake, FoodNavigator reports.

The UN agency has already issued such guidance for protein, fat, carbohydrates, as well as salt, free sugars, and overall caloric intake.

Now, the WHO is preparing to set the agenda for how much ultra-processed food (UPF) should be consumed. Given the agency’s vocal disapproval of UPFs—and its influence over national dietary guidelines—food manufacturers should pay close attention.

WHO’s Stance on UPFs: What We Know So Far

The WHO’s research into UPFs has been far from favorable for the processed food industry. According to the organization, UPFs—alongside alcohol, tobacco, and fossil fuel industries—are responsible for millions of deaths annually in Europe.

The WHO specifically targets ultra-processed foods such as processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, and problematic nutrients like salt and trans fats.

Since healthy diets reduce the risk of diseases like cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions—while unhealthy diets do the opposite—the WHO is taking action.

The agency is developing much-needed global guidelines on UPF consumption, to accompany its existing recommendations on proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

To achieve this, the WHO is convening a multidisciplinary panel of international experts. This group will develop evidence-based recommendations and provide contextual information to support policymakers in UN member states.

Who Is Helping Shape the New UPF Guidelines?

The WHO recently called for experts to contribute to the development of these guidelines. We can now assume the application period has closed.

Eligible candidates were required to hold advanced degrees and demonstrate expertise in relevant fields such as nutritional science or epidemiology.

Experience in evaluating the health impacts of UPF consumption was considered an asset. Candidates were also expected to have recent peer-reviewed publications and show leadership or active participation in national or international scientific advisory bodies.

Selected members are expected to be fluent in English, capable of contributing to scientific writing, and able to collaborate within international, multidisciplinary teams.

They will help define the scope of the guidance, assess the evidence on risks and benefits, and determine the feasibility and fairness of the recommendations across different populations and cultural contexts.

How Could WHO Guidelines Influence Consumer Behavior?

Globally, most food-based dietary guidelines are aligned with WHO recommendations. These typically advise eating a variety of foods, consuming certain items more than others, prioritizing fruits, vegetables, legumes, and animal-based foods, and limiting sugar, fat, and salt.

In the UK, for instance, the government says its dietary guidance is "fully aligned" with WHO evidence and recommendations.

If the WHO advises reducing UPF consumption—as seems likely given mounting evidence linking UPFs to disease and mortality—national dietary guidelines could soon reflect that advice.

WHO Isn’t the Only One Raising Concerns

Concerns about UPFs extend far beyond the WHO.

In 2024, the largest study on UPFs to date linked their consumption to 32 negative health outcomes, including premature death.

Earlier this year, another study estimated that UPFs could be responsible for tens of thousands of global deaths, with especially significant impacts in high-consumption countries like the US and UK.

What We Still Don’t Know (But Want to)

The WHO has yet to respond to requests for comment, leaving some critical questions unanswered. Chief among them: how will the organization define and classify processed foods?

While the Nova classification system—which groups foods into four categories based on processing level—remains the most widely used, it has faced criticism for lumping together nutritionally diverse items under the “ultra-processed” label.

Consider the fact that fast-food burgers and chocolate bars are classified alongside canned beans and packaged whole-grain bread.

The WHO has previously endorsed the Nova system, but it remains unclear whether it will continue to do so—or if it plans to reinterpret its framework.

Additionally, it’s unknown whether the upcoming guidance will focus solely on the amount of processed food deemed safe, or also provide advice on which types of processed food may be acceptable—or potentially harmful—for consumption.

We’re not the only ones wondering. Stay tuned. (Photo: Freepik)