Terms of Service

Data Sources and Licensing

USDA FoodData Central

The Ultra Processed Food List website utilizes data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service's FoodData Central. This is public domain data provided by the United States government.

Required attribution:

"U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2025. fdc.nal.usda.gov."

Open Food Facts Data

We also supplement our data with information from the Open Food Facts database, primarily for product images. This data is available under the Open Database License (ODbL) v1.0:

• The Open Food Facts database is licensed under the Open Database License (ODbL) v1.0
• The individual contents of the database are available under the Database Contents License (DbCL) v1.0
• Full license texts are available at ODbL v1.0 and DbCL v1.0

In accordance with the Open Food Facts license, if you use or redistribute data containing Open Food Facts content, you must:

1. Attribute: You must attribute any public use of the database, or works produced from the database, in the manner specified in the ODbL. For any use or redistribution of the database, or works produced from it, you must make clear to others the license of the database and keep intact any notices on the original database.
2. Share-Alike: If you publicly use any adapted version of this database, or works produced from an adapted database, you must also offer that adapted database under the ODbL.
3. Keep open: If you redistribute the database, or an adapted version of it, then you may use technological measures that restrict the work (such as DRM) as long as you also redistribute a version without such measures.

Derived Data and Processing Level Index

The Processing Level Index (PLI) and other derived data elements found on this website are our own interpretations and calculations based on the USDA and Open Food Facts data. These derived elements represent our analysis and are provided for informational purposes only.

Disclaimers

Data Accuracy

While we strive to provide accurate information, please be aware that:

• Food products and their formulations change frequently
• Regional variations of products may exist with different ingredients
• Data entry errors may occur in the original databases or in our processing
• Our Processing Level Index is an algorithmic interpretation and not a definitive measure
• The Open Food Facts database is maintained by volunteers and may contain errors or omissions

Always refer to the product packaging for the most current and authoritative information.

Not Medical Advice

The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as:

• Medical advice
• Nutritional counseling
• Dietary recommendations
• Healthcare guidance

This website should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or dietary needs.

Processing Level Index Limitations

Our Processing Level Index (PLI) is designed to give consumers a general understanding of food processing levels, but has several limitations:

• It is based on available ingredient data which may be incomplete
• It uses algorithmic assessment which may not capture all nuances of food processing
• It does not account for quantity of ingredients (only presence)
• It may not reflect recent changes to products
• It is not endorsed by any regulatory body or academic institution

The PLI should be used as one of many tools in making informed food choices, not as the sole determining factor.

Third-Party Rights

Product names, brand names, logos, and other trademarks or intellectual property mentioned or displayed on this website belong to their respective owners. Their mention does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by these entities.

Modifications to These Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms of Service at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting to the website. Your continued use of this website after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the new Terms of Service.

Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms of Service or the data presented on this website, please visit ourContact Page to get in touch with us.