Our Mission
At Ultra Processed Food List, we believe people should be able to see how processed their food is. Our mission is to provide clear, accessible information about the food products we consume daily, using our Two-Score System that evaluates both processing levels and nutritional quality.
Traditional food rating systems often oversimplify complex nutritional information. We've developed a dual approach that recognizes both processing and nutrition as equally important factors in food quality. Our goal is to help consumers understand not just what's in their food, but how it was made and how it fits into their diet.
What Are Ultra-Processed Foods?
Ultra-processed foods are industrial formulations made mostly or entirely from substances extracted from foods (oils, fats, sugar, starch), derived from food constituents (hydrogenated fats, modified starch), or synthesized in laboratories from food substrates or other organic sources (flavor enhancers, colors). These products typically contain minimal whole foods and use industrial techniques not found in home kitchens.
Research increasingly links high consumption of ultra-processed foods to various health concerns, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome. However, not all processed foods are created equal, which is why we've developed our Processing Score to help you understand the spectrum of food processing.
The Science Behind Two Scores
We believe no single number can capture both processing and nutrition. That's why we use two complementary scores that work together to give you a complete picture of food quality.
Processing Score (PS)
Our Processing Score measures the degree of industrial processing on an uncapped scale starting at 1 for single-ingredient foods. The score increases based on the number and type of ingredients, with particular attention to:
- Artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners
- Hydrogenated and industrially modified oils
- Chemical preservatives and stabilizers
- Modified starches and other industrially altered ingredients
- Overall ingredient complexity
Products are grouped into four processing levels, from Minimally Processed (Level 1) to Ultra-Processed (Level 4), making it easy to compare products at a glance.
Nutrition Score (NS)
Our Nutrition Score balances positive and negative nutritional factors on a 0-10 scale, where higher scores indicate better nutritional quality. The score considers:
- Positive factors: Protein content, dietary fiber, and beneficial food properties
- Negative factors: Excess sodium, added sugars, saturated fat, and trans fats
Special handling is applied for categories like water, diet drinks, and fermented products to ensure fair and accurate scoring across all food types.
Database Scale & Accuracy
Our comprehensive database represents one of the largest food analysis projects available to consumers:
Product Coverage
- 445K+ products with complete scoring
- 25,000+ brands across all categories
- 80 categories organized into 13 browsable groups
Ingredient Analysis
- 270,000 unique ingredients normalized
- Complete additive classification system
- Preservative and artificial ingredient tracking
Nutritional Data Coverage
- 95.7% coverage for calories and macronutrients (protein, fat, carbohydrates)
- Vitamin and mineral data where manufacturers report it
- Serving size information for scored products
Data Sources: We source our information from USDA FoodData Central and OpenFoodFacts, ensuring comprehensive coverage of both U.S. and international products. Our processing algorithms analyze ingredient lists, nutritional data, and product categories to generate accurate scores.
The required attribution for USDA data: “U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. fdc.nal.usda.gov.” While we strive for accuracy, product formulations change regularly, and we recommend always checking product packaging for the most current information.
Our Features
Ultra Processed Food List offers several key features powered by our Two-Score System:
- Dual Score Analysis - View both Processing Score and Nutrition Score for complete food evaluation
- Advanced Search & Filtering - Find products by category, brand, ingredient, processing level, or nutrition score
- Detailed Product Pages - Complete ingredient analysis, nutritional information, and score explanations
- Smart Alternatives - Discover better options using both processing and nutrition criteria
- Brand & Category Analysis - Compare processing patterns across 25,000+ brands and every category
- Ingredient Intelligence - Explore our database of 270,000 ingredients with additive classifications
Our Team
Ultra Processed Food List was founded by John Trice, an entrepreneur passionate about food transparency, and is reviewed by an Expert Review Board of credentialed food scientists and registered dietitians.
We are not affiliated with any food manufacturers, retailers, or health organizations. Our goal is to provide unbiased information that helps consumers understand what's in their food.
Contributing to Our Mission
We believe in the power of community knowledge. If you notice any inaccuracies or have suggestions for improving our database, please contact us.
Contact Us
Have questions, suggestions, or feedback? We'd love to hear from you.
Visit our contact page to get in touch with us.
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