NOVA classification is a system that sorts foods according to the intensity of the processing they have undergone. And it is especially useful in distinguishing the friends and enemies of health. It is divided into 4 levels, from natural and unprocessed foods to ultra-processed foods. Ultraprocessed foods are mostly junk food-or junk food, or HFSS(High In Fats, Sugar and Sodium). That is, foods with unbalanced nutritional profiles, the prevalence and frequency of consumption of which is now the primary cause of the epidemic of obesity, malnutrition and related diseases plaguing the planet (c.d.
Global Syndemic
).
NOVA Classification
The NOVA classification system was developed by a research team at the University of São Paulo, which fine-tuned and redefined the final version in 2016. (1)
NOVA defines processing overall as‘the physical, chemical and biological processes that affect various foods once they are separated from nature and before they are consumed or used in the preparation of dishes.’
4 food categories
NOVA distinguishes four categories of foods:
1) Unprocessed or minimally processed foods. This includes water, ‘edible parts of plants (seeds, fruits, leaves, stems, roots)‘, mushrooms and seaweed. But also simpler animal products, such as eggs, milk, and unprocessed meats,
2) Ingredients for home cooking. They are the basic foods for food preparation and seasoning. Oils and fats, vinegar and salt, sugar, herbs and spices, etc.
3) processed foods (processed food). Foods consumed daily belong to this group. Bread, pasta, cheese, meat and fish in the simplest processes, vegetable preserves,
4 )Ultra-processed foods (ultra-processed foods). Snacks high in fat, added sugar and/or salt, sweets, sugary drinks. Not to mention frankfurters and other products made with mechanically separated meat and preservatives other than salt (e.g., nitrites, sorbates), ready meals.
The ultra-processed foods
Ultraprocessed foods are distinguished by the presence of substances foreign to domestic food preparations. Food additives and processed ingredients, either extracted from simple foods (e.g., casein, whey, gluten) or obtained by further processing (e.g., hydrogenated fats and oils, hydrolyzed proteins, modified starches, invert sugar).
This is precisely the category of foods that should be shunned and excluded from one’s diet and that of one’s loved ones to protect one’s health. Because these are foods with unbalanced nutritional profiles, which expose consumers of all ages to excessive intakes of fat and/or saturated fat, simple sugars and/or sodium, as well as chemicals used as food additives (i.e., residual as processing aids). Resulting in serious risks of premature mortality from all causes, which have already been amply demonstrated in the scientific literature.
Ultraprocessed and serious health risks. Scientific studies
Some brief scientific reviews we have already published, on the correlations between the consumption of ultra-processed foods and serious health risks, are summarized. Which are embodied in the increased risk of contracting serious and chronicNon-Communicable Diseases (NCDs):
– cardiovascular disease and premature mortality,
–Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver(NAFL) steatosis and its degeneration,
– Genetic modification and premature cellular aging,
– alteration of DNA and immune system, acute inflammation, acceleration of diseases such as atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes,
Public Health vs. Big Food
TheFood and Agriculture Organization (FAO ) views the NOVA classification as a useful tool to guide nutrition policies. With the goal of promoting consumption of fresh and healthy foods, possibly local and from agroecology, FAO points out.
The World Health Organization (WHO) in turn has been calling for years for the adoption of appropriate nutritional profiles to distinguish balanced foods from junk food. WHO has already been denouncing junk food advertising since 2016, pointing out its danger to public health and calling for its restrictions. As well as recommending the taxation of sugary drinks.
Big Food
instead continues to interfere with public health protection authorities, as seen. For the express purpose of continuing unhindered the sale of junk food in the world. Because producing junk food with bad ingredients such as palm oil (otherwise destined for automotive biodiesel) allows for unparalleled profits.
A POP(Profit Over People) shame, a NOVA hope.
Dario Dongo and Marta Strinati
Notes
(1) On NOVA classification see Monteiro CA, Cannon G, Levy RB et al. (2016). ‘NOVA, the star shines bright – Food classification. Public health’. World Nutrition, Volume 7, Number 1-3, January-March 2016. https://worldnutritionjournal.org/index.php/wn/article/view/5/4
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
