- The Non-GMO Project has introduced a logo that would highlight foods that do not contain “ultra-processed” ingredients, called “Non-UPF Verified.” The program was created by the Non-GMO Project’s newly established Food Integrity Collective. The founder and CEO of the Non-GMO Project and the Food Integrity Collective, Megan Westgate, alleged that “[t]he Standard American Diet has become one of the leading risk factors for death worldwide, yet navigating today’s food landscape can feel like an impossible task.”
- The new certification will complement the Butterfly seal, intended to help consumers choose foods that the Non-GMO Project believes promote food that is not ultra-processed. According to the organization, “Non-UPF Verified” will set clear standards and encourage food manufacturers to offer more minimally processed options, based on an “8-Petal Framework for Food Integrity.”
- The term “ultra-processed food” is not formally defined, which raises questions as to how the certification program defines the term and whether the logo will be meaningful. For example, the National Institute of Health (NIH) defined “ultra-processed foods” in 2019 as foods that modify the nutritional content of their ingredients to boost their profitability, convenience, and shelf life. However, other definitions vary and there is no consensus.
- The new certification program will launch its pilot phase in Spring 2025 and food manufacturers interested in the certification can learn more at: www.nonultraprocessed.org.
