Table 2.

Food processing categorization based on the level of processing

Food processing category	Defined as	Market basket examples
Group 1: unprocessed or minimally processed foods	Foods taken directly from nature; minimally processed to clean, pasteurize, freeze, or other processes that do not alter the composition	Coffee, rice, milk, apples, frozen turkey, broccoli (n 60)
Group 2: processed culinary ingredients	Ingredients that can be added to group 1 for flavour or seasoning used in the cooking process	Flour, butter, shortening, sugar (n 7)
Group 3: processed foods	Foods from group 1 that are minimally processed, often with salt or oil, with the intent of extending shelf-life or altering palatability; includes fermented alcoholic beverages	Tortillas, tofu, canned salmon, canned corn, wine (n 12)
Group 4: ultra-processed foods	Foods that are highly processed with the intent of convenience and ready-to-eat/drink	Cookies, ice cream, salad dressing, sausages, cola, potato chips (n 27)