Table 1.

Nova classification of foods based on the extent and purpose of processing⁷

Group	Name	Definition	Example products
1	Unprocessed or minimally processed foods	Edible parts of plants or animals and fungi, algae, and water; or these foods altered by processes such as removing inedible or unwanted parts, drying, crushing, grinding, fractioning, filtering, roasting, boiling, pasteurisation, refrigeration, freezing, placing in containers, vacuum packaging, or non-alcoholic fermentation	Fresh, squeezed, chilled, frozen, or dried fruits and vegetables, including pulses; grains, grits, flakes, or flour; meat, poultry, fish, and seafood; couscous and polenta; tree and ground nuts and other oil seeds without added salt or sugar; spices and herbs; plain yoghurt; tea and coffee
2	Processed culinary ingredients	Substances obtained directly from group 1 foods or from nature by processes such as pressing, refining, grinding, milling, and spray drying	Salt; sugar and molasses; honey and syrup; vegetable oils; butter and lard; starches extracted from corn and other plants
3	Processed foods	Relatively simple products made by adding group 2 substances to group 1 foods. Processes include various preservation or cooking methods and, in the case of breads and cheese, non-alcoholic fermentation	Canned or bottled vegetables and fruits; salted or sugared nuts and seeds; salted, cured, or smoked meats; canned fish; fruits in syrup; cheeses and unpackaged freshly made breads
4	Ultra-processed food and drink products	Formulations of ingredients, mostly of exclusive industrial use, that result from a series of industrial processes, many requiring sophisticated equipment and technology. These include the fractioning of whole foods into substances, chemical modifications of these substances, assembly of unmodified and modified food substances using industrial techniques such as extrusion, moulding and pre-frying, frequent application of additives whose function is to make the final product palatable or hyper-palatable (cosmetic additives), and sophisticated packaging, usually with synthetic materials	Carbonated drinks; ice cream, chocolate, confectionery; mass produced packaged breads and buns; margarines and spreads; biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes; breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars; energy drinks; milk drinks, fruit yoghurts, and fruit drinks; meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces; infant formula milks and other baby products; health and slimming products such as meal substitutes; many ready to heat products, including pies, pasta dishes, and pizza; poultry and fish nuggets, sausages, burgers, and hot dogs; and instant soups, noodles, and desserts