According to the study, different processing methods significantly alter the biochemical composition of plant-based and alternative proteins, something that is not taken into account by the four-group NOVA system that categorizes foods by the extent of their processing.

Researchers from the Food Sciences unit at Finland’s University of Turku carried out the study, which was published in the journal Nature Food. The project focused on commercially available plant-based products made with “various technologies” and ingredients.

The authors found “clear differences” between soy-based foods, in particular, and suggested that current classification systems should “be improved” to better reflect nutrient density.

For example, tempeh is an extremely nutritious, fermented soy-based protein that the authors found was rich in potentially beneficial phytochemical compounds like isoflavonoids. Products made from soy isolates or concentrates, meanwhile, contain significantly fewer isoflavonoids. 

Phytochemicals can indicate how much the original composition of the ingredients has been preserved during processing, while epidemiological studies “consistently” find that phytochemical-rich food groups promote health, while those without do not. Despite this, both varieties of plant protein may be categorized simply as processed or ultra-processed.

Read more: Plant-Based Meat Not Associated With Adverse Health Outcomes, Government Report Finds

Nutrient-density and absorption should determine nutritional value, says study author

Ville Koistinen, one of the new study’s authors, told Phys.org that “processing food is common.” Cooking food at home, baking, or freezing can all be considered forms of processing.

“It cannot be assumed that all processing makes a product unhealthy,” added Koistinen. Ultimately it is only the nutritional components of the edible product that matter, and how they are absorbed by our bodies. These determine the nutritional value and healthiness of food products.”

Many experts have cautioned against villainizing entire food groups over a “processed” label – including in this analysis from 2024 – while various recent studies indicate that swapping animal products for processed plant-based foods can lead to positive health outcomes. Diets rich in whole, plant-based foods, in particular, are linked with various health benefits.

Read more: 5 Benefits To Food Processing

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.

In 2023, the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) published a position statement on ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and human health. This statement acknowledged the potential link between UPFs and negative health outcomes, but highlighted limitations in available evidence and the variable range of foods that could be described as processed.

The Office for Health Improvement & Disparities has now published a “rapid update” of its position on processed foods after reviewing research papers, scientific studies, and clinical trials released over the last two years that focused on processed foods and human health.

The report clearly states that “vegetarian alternatives” are “not associated with adverse health outcomes.” In contrast, ultra-processed foods such as meat, animal products, and sweetened drinks, “tend to be” associated with increased risk. Bread, desserts, and dairy yield “mixed results,” the report says. This new report builds on a separate 2023 study that found plant-based meats were not associated with increased risk of multi-morbidity.

The update also notes that the UK’s Eatwell Guide currently “emphasises a diet based on fruit, vegetables and wholegrain or higher fibre starchy carbohydrates, with less red and processed meat and less foods high in saturated fat, salt and free sugars” for optimal health.

SACN will keep the topic under annual review and consider it again in 2026.

Read more: Healthy Plant-Based Diets Lower Risk Of Death From Cardiometabolic Disorders, Finds Study

Plant-based processed foods and health

Up to two-thirds of Europeans believe that UPFs are unhealthy, as reported by Euronews. However, only 56 percent of people avoid buying processed foods, and many feel they don’t know enough about the topic to make an educated decision one way or the other.

While “processed” has become commonly used as a shorthand for “unhealthy,” in reality, the phrase can be used to describe everything from energy drinks (which are linked to a long list of health issues) to fortified grains (one of the world’s primary sources of iron and other micronutrients). The processing of foods can both promote health and detract from it, depending on the quality of ingredients and the quantity in which they are consumed.

Overall, research indicates that plant-based foods are both healthier and better for the planet – including processed ones – while processed meat products are some of the most harmful.

Read more: Stop Using ‘Misleading’ Ultra-Processed Label, Says New Report

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.

Collier pointed to the growing popularity of raw milk as an example of the phenomenon in a LinkedIn post. Fans of raw milk claim it is healthier than pasteurized milk, despite the higher risk that it will contain dangerous bacteria. In the US, batches of raw milk have also recently been recalled after being found to be contaminated with bird flu.

Social media influencers are among those to blame, he says, for highlighting the alleged health benefits of unpasteurized dairy but failing to mention the risks.

Read more: Why RFK Jr’s Position On Ultra-Processed Foods Is Problematic

The problem is not just with raw milk, but with the idea that there is a perception of that “minimally processed foods are more ‘natural’ and therefore ‘better’,” writes Collier.

Dangerous misinformation

As concerns over the health impacts of ultra-processed foods have grown, more people have begun to believe that processing makes food unhealthy. Collier agrees that eating too much “cheap, high-fat, high-sugar, low-fibre, calorie-dense, hyperpalatable foods” is contributing to a rise in obesity and diseases like diabetes. But these legitimate health concerns have led to the misconception that all processed food is unhealthy.

“Misinformation surrounding food processing is dangerous,” Collier writes.

Health experts often recommend a whole foods plant-based diet as the healthiest way to eat. But evidence shows that processed foods like plant-based meat are not inherently unhealthy, while less processed foods like red meat are not necessarily a healthy choice.

Read more: Major 20 Year Review Finds Plant-Based Diets Reduce Disease Risk

This article was written by Claire Hamlett on the PBN Website.

Read more: ‘What Food History Tells Us About Living Longer’

RFK Jr is a divisive figure. He repeats controversial and widely debunked conspiracy theories on everything from vaccines to fluoride. He has also promoted high-risk fad foods such as raw milk.

RFK Jr’s appointment as the Secretary of Health will entrust him with providing “effective health and human services,” as well as fostering “sound, sustained advances in the sciences underlying medicine, public health, and social services.”

Many medical professionals have criticized his appointment, contrasting his wild theorizing with the seriousness of the role. One Professor of Paediatric Infection and Immunity referred to the decision as a “slap in the face” of evidence-based health policies, particularly in light of RFK Jr’s repeated criticism of vaccines.

Despite his many unsupported health claims, some professionals have welcomed the opportunity to “galvanize” progress in areas that they, RFK Jr, and much of the American public share ground. In particular, RFK is an outspoken critic of the “heavily processed unhealthy foods” which make up approximately 60-70 percent of the standard American diet (SAD).

Processed foods come with both risks and benefits

Rohini Bajekal, Nutritionist and Communications Lead at Plant-Based Health Professionals UK (PBHP) tells Plant Based News (PBN) that many ultra-processed foods (UPFs) combine fat, sugar, salt, and artificial flavors, eschewing fiber and nutrients.

“They are considered hyper-palatable: this means they are irresistible, easy to overconsume, and are capable of hijacking the brain’s reward system thus provoking powerful cravings,” explains Bajekal. “This can lead to overconsumption.”

There is a growing body of evidence indicating that UPF overconsumption increases the risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease, mental health issues, cancers, and poor gut health. However, the phrase “ultra-processed” is very general, encompassing many different foods with varying nutritional values, degrees of processing, and perceived healthfulness.

Some UPFs are best described as “food-like substances,” a phrase used by Bajekal for items with almost no nutritional value at all, but for other foods, processing can improve nutrient density. For example, cooked, canned, and concentrated tomatoes typically contain more bioavailable lycopene, a “powerful antioxidant” with confirmed anti-cancer properties.

Fermentation, which can also be considered a form of food processing, adds nutritional value to the base ingredients, as in tempeh. Meanwhile, freezer technology enables the year-round storage and consumption of nutritious foods. RFK has been particularly critical of pasteurization, but the pasteurization process kills harmful bacteria in food and drinks like milk, juice, beer, and canned foods, aiding human health and saving countless lives.

“Not all processed foods are created equal,” notes Bajekal. “Canning, cooking, freezing, fermenting, and drying are all processing methods. There are usually both positive and negative implications for nutrition as a result of them.”

Read more: New ‘Ultra-Processed’ Guide Answers All Your Questions On UPFs

Processed foods play an ‘important role’ in many people’s diets

RFK Jr has specifically targeted processed cereals, and said that “kids shouldn’t be eating grains.” But while excessive consumption of refined grain does come with potential health risks, many Americans also rely on fortified cereals to mitigate nutrient deficiencies – a pressing issue for most of the population.

“Processed foods play an important role in many people’s diets. This may be due to time, cost, cooking ability or access, health issues, or any unique nutritional needs,” explains Bajekal. “They can also help certain groups of people such as children or older adults meet their nutritional needs.”

“Some processed foods make eating more enjoyable, convenient, and easier to meet my nutrient needs,” adds Bajekal. She tells PBN that some of her go-to processed foods included fortified plant milks, yogurts, and calcium-set tofu.

Plant-based products like these are some of the most criticized UPFs of all, but studies indicate that even processed options are typically healthier and more sustainable than meat and dairy. Bajekal says that negative narratives around plant foods are used as “an excuse” to promote animal-based foods as “natural,” or “unprocessed.”

Processed animal products and negative health outcomes

In addition to grains, RFK Jr has criticized seed oils, which he says kids should also not eat. He has said that the broader move away from traditional animal fats like beef tallow towards vegetable oils is responsible for rising obesity rates nationwide.

“There is no evidence to reflect this,” said Bajekal. “In fact, the data shows that seed oils or many vegetable oils can benefit human health.”

Plant-based oils are certainly thought to be better for heart health than tallow and dairy butter, and a major 20-year review from earlier this year found that eating a plant-based diet was “significantly associated” with better health markers.

A recent deep dive into RFK Jr’s claims about the benefits of tallow by The Atlantic noted that a national shift from saturated to polyunsaturated fats in the middle of the 20th century was followed by a 56 percent reduction in heart disease deaths. Longstanding medical advice suggests limiting the consumption of saturated animal fats to lower obesity risk and cardiovascular disease risk.

It’s worth noting here that certain highly processed animal-based foods are strongly linked to negative health outcomes but have not been specifically addressed by RFK Jr. For example, bacon, ham, hot dogs, and salami are all group 1 carcinogens, meaning they are known to cause cancer. Red meat is linked to colorectal cancer and diabetes, while dairy products are a major source of salt and saturated fat. (The average American eats approximately 42 pounds of cheese per year.)

‘Make America healthy again’

RFK Jr’s criticism of UPFs undoubtedly reflects the concerns of many medical professionals and American citizens. However, his comments repeatedly fail to acknowledge the need for more scientific research in this area, the complexity of the subject, countless intersecting socioeconomic factors, and the specific role of animal products – both processed and unprocessed – in negative health outcomes.

RFK Jr’s promotion of animal ingredients in place of plant-based ones also does not take into account the way animal agriculture negatively impacts the environment, the climate crisis, and human health, or how all of those outcomes are interlinked.

There is currently a multi-state bird flu outbreak amongst dairy cows in the US. Earlier this year, Robert Redfield, the former director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned that bird flu is “very likely” to be the next human pandemic. While RFK Jr has been extremely critical of the CDC, he has yet to comment on the role of animal farming in contemporary health crises.

Approximately 99 percent of all animals raised for food in the US are factory-farmed. The cramped, inhumane conditions of factory farming increase zoonotic disease risk, while the industry’s overuse of antibiotics further undermines public health, causing illness and death. While the impact of processed foods requires immediate further investigation, the role of animal products and factory farming in public health also demands the fullest consideration from the US government’s Department of Health and Human Services, whoever the Secretary of Health may be.

Read more: Plant-Based Diets Nearly 20% Cheaper Than Standard American Diet, Research Finds

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.

Read more: The Technology That ‘Could Turn The World Vegan’

What is food processing?

When you think of food processing, it might be that you think of certain ultra-processed foods linked to negative health outcomes, like ham or sugary soft drinks. In reality, the majority of the foods we eat today are processed in one way or another.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) says any ingredient that has undergone changes to its natural state – such as cleaning, milling, pasteurizing, packaging, preservation, or flavoring – is a processed food. This means that breads, some grains, juices, and even fresh produce like apples are classed as processed foods.

It is arguable that a reductive definition of “processed food” (one that includes apples and cookies in the same category) does not support consumers in making informed decisions on food and nutrition. The public’s kneejerk mistrust of all processed or “unnatural” foods has also been repeatedly used to undermine plant-based meat and other alternatives.

Writing for Food Manufacture, food process engineering expert Dr Camila Perussello noted that “changing the narrative” around processed foods is essential moving forward. She also said that better consumer education is “vital for a just, sustainable, and resilient food system where people eat healthily and consume mindfully.”

Read more: Brand Creates Wheat-Based Binders For Vegan Meat That’s Free From E-Numbers

Why are foods processed?

Foods can be processed for a variety of different reasons. Some are processed to make them suitable for human consumption, like olives, while others are processed to make them safer, like fruit juices.

Some are processed for convenience, like canned or frozen vegetables, and certain foods for flavor and longevity, like pickles, or crisps and chips.

With the above in mind, processed foods can be placed on a wide spectrum with minimally-processed at one end (like apples) and ultra-processed at the other (like soda). But even at the extreme of “ultra-processed,” the topic remains complicated and amorphous.

Many processed foods have obvious benefits, like longevity and safety, but so-called “fun foods” have their place too. Pre-packaged cookies, for example, which typically have negligible nutritional value, can also be a part of an overall healthy and well-balanced diet.

Are processed foods unhealthy?

There is growing evidence of a link between regular or high consumption of ultra-processed foods and negative health outcomes like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, poor mental health, various cancers, and poor gut health.

As with processed foods, the definition of “ultra-processed” is unclear, and nutrient-dense foods like fortified cereals and whole grain bread can also be classified as UPFs, even though they are both generally linked with positive health outcomes rather than negative.

Many plant-based alternatives are also UPFs, but a growing number of studies show that these foods are both healthier and better for the planet than meat and dairy. (Plant Based News (PBN) has guides to ultra-processed foods and processed vegan foods here.)

Food systems researcher Jenny Chapman recently authored a report on the need to retire the phrase “ultra-processed foods” entirely. The term has become laden with misinformed but negative connotations and serves little practical purpose to consumers.

She previously told PBN: “The UPF categorization simply tells us that, like so much of the food we eat – tofu, hummus, oat milk, wholemeal bread – plant-based meats are made in factories. It is unable to tell you if a food is healthy or not.”

5 benefits to food processing

As noted above, processed food can be considered a spectrum including everything from nutrient-dense, fortified ingredients to fun foods like crisps and cookies. That means there are no catch-all rules for every food and ingredient included on the spectrum. These are just some of the proven and potential benefits of food processing.

1. Food safety

From early forms of food preservation like drying, pickling, and fermenting, to modern ones like pasteurization, sterilization, and irradiation, processing helps to maintain food safety. 

Pasteurization, for example, retains nutritional value while killing off harmful bacteria, making it essential both for the safety of consumers and the maintenance of global health. While irradiation both removes microorganisms and helps to extend the lifespan of fresh produce.

2. Additional nutrition

Some common forms of processing can remove certain nutrients, and canning vegetables, for example, slightly reduces water-soluble vitamin content. But in many cases, this is offset by the potential for food processing to preserve the remaining nutrients for longer.

Preserving fruit through drying, canning, or freezing maintains the majority of the food’s nutritional content, meaning that it can be consumed and enjoyed out of season. While fresh fruit and veg might be ideal, preserved varieties are still better than nothing.

Fortification is another way in which processed foods can aid nutrition. Breads, cereals, and more can all be easily fortified with vitamins, minerals, and sometimes macronutrients like protein, in order to battle chronic deficiencies and support human health.

Most plant-based alternatives are fortified in this way, with some producers adding B12 and other essential minerals that are less common on a plant-based diet. Micronutrient fortification is cost-effective, and adding key vitamins to staples like flour, cereals, and salt can ensure someone gets a nutritionally complete diet for just a few cents per year.

3. Accessibility

As many processing techniques give food a considerably prolonged shelf life, they also increase people’s access to nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables. Remote areas and food deserts may not have a diverse supply of fresh produce to hand, but canned fruits and vegetables are nutritious, long-lasting, and cost-effective alternatives.

Some processed foods are also quick and easy to prepare, as with pre-cooked meals and pre-portioned snacks. This makes them a lifeline for people with disabilities, as well as older folks, parents, people with chronic illnesses, and anyone short on time.

The prevalence of pre-prepared plant-based ingredients, in particular, can drastically increase people’s access to nutrient-dense foods. In an article for Metro about the importance of pre-packaged food for folks living with a disability, writer Shona Louise commented “Mushroom mince, spiralised courgette, and cauliflower steaks might seem pointless to you but when you can’t cut up any of the above, they suddenly become staples in your fridge.”

4. Sustainability

The ability to process waste material into usable, nutritious ingredients is revolutionary, enabling companies to turn brewery waste into plant-based meat, overripe fruits into snacks and crisps, and even peels and stems into protein powders and baking mixes.

But processing helps to reduce waste and promote sustainability throughout the food system, not just through upcycled ingredients. The increased longevity of canned and frozen foods helps to reduce waste, as do pre-packaged and pre-portioned ingredients.

Plant-based alternatives like meat and dairy are proven to be far superior for the environment than comparable animal-derived versions, and they are only possible because of food processing technology. They have a positive impact on animals, by being cruelty-free, and require significantly a low-to-moderate quantity of resources compared to animal farming.

5. Enjoyment

Sustainability, accessibility, and nutrition are inarguably important, but humans also eat for enjoyment, and good-tasting foods are an essential part of every culture and community.

Common food processing techniques like fermentation, pickling, marinating, and seasoning all make foods more pleasurable to eat, with endless regional and cultural variations and significance. (For example, without food processing, there would be no chocolate.)

Modern processing methods also open up endless possibilities when it comes to taste, texture, and consistency. This allows for the manufacture of all kinds of tender, juicy, nutritious, and sustainable plant-based meats, including whole cuts.

“Both fresh and processed foods make up vital parts of the food supply,” write the authors of a 2014 report on the subject titled Processed Foods: Contributions To Nutrition. “Processed food contributes to both food security (ensuring that sufficient food is available) and nutrition security (ensuring that food quality meets human nutrient needs).”

Read more: ‘Why Isn’t Processed Meat Scrutinized Like Plant-Based Meat?’: Klaus Mitchell BBC Debate

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.