UPF Policy Forum – key takeaways for food businesses

UPF checklist
UPF checklist

UPF Policy Forum

Nutrition Talent’s Anna Wheeler joined the Ultra‑Processed Food Policy Forum on 24th March 2026.  There was extraordinary interest in the event, with all in‑person places filled and more than 1,000 people joining online. With speakers including Henry Dimbleby and Prof. Carlos Monteiro (the academic who first formalised the concept of ultra‑processed foods (UPF)), that wasn’t surprising. The organisers were clear up front: they see the science as compelling and believe the gap between evidence and policy now needs to be closed. 

Key UPF takeaways

Here are six takeaways from the day that food business leaders should not ignore: 

  1. Speakers agreed that while not all mechanisms are understood, the evidence around UPFs is “sufficient to act”, and all delivered strong calls for policy intervention. 
  2. The NOVA classification system went unchallenged all day, signalling it is still the default framework in policy discussions. 
  3. Three policy measures dominated the discussions: warning labels, school restrictions, taxation. 
  4. Labelling was front and centre as a preferred lever for policy action – from UPF warning labels to calls for NutriScore updates to incorporate processing. 
  5. Additive interactions were flagged as an emerging area of research. Although all additives are approved as safe, combinations aren’t routinely tested so this may be an area to watch. 
  6. New UPF specific publications are on the way: 
    • WHO policy brief with clear UPF definitions and policy options to reduce exposure and consumption (June 2026) 
    • PAHO design guide for front of pack warning labels, including a framework for implementation   

For a topic with so much scientific debate, the absence of discussion or alternative perspectives was notable.

But one thing is clear – UPF‑related policy pressure is increasing, and the conversation is moving faster than the science. 

What this means for food businesses 

For CEOs and R&D leaders, this raises several strategic questions: 

  • Have you assessed your portfolio through a processing‑based lens?
  • Do you understand where your products sit within the NOVA classification system? 
  • Are there opportunities to simplify formulations or adjust ingredient systems?
  • Do you have a clear narrative on processing that is evidence‑based and consumer‑ready?

Act early

The businesses that act early, with clarity, data and a proactive strategy will be better positioned as the regulatory landscape evolves. 

If you want help cutting through the noise and understanding what this means for your portfolio, your ingredients strategy or your innovation pipeline, we can help. 

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