At first glance it seems like a sympathetic examination. The Danish scientists from the University of Copenhagen and the Novo Nordisk Foundation want to look for a two -year project An alternative definition for (ultra) processed food. A new classification system could help consumers make healthier choices. Moreover, the current system would show defects and need change.
But the research threatens to undermine public health, write more than ninety independent food scientists in an open letter. The original system, called Nova, is a standard in food science and popularized the term ‘ultra -processed food’. These foods are compiled industrially with various added substances, and usually contain more fats, sugar and salt, and fewer nutrients than unprocessed products. NOVA is used in numerous studies to make a connection between ultra-processed food and health problems such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and mental disorders. In addition, Nova is used by the World Health Organization and the United Nations to monitor global dietary quality.
The Danish researchers want to mention the new classification Nova 2.0. “That name wrongly suggests that their classification is an improved version of NOVA,” says nutrition scientist Jaap Seidell, who signed the letter. The new classification could undermine the legitimacy of the earlier investigation and sow doubts.
Confusion as a goal
According to the worried scientists, confusion is the purpose of the Danish project. It looks like an attempt to promote a system from which producers of ultra -processed food benefit from them. “The Danish researchers have warm ties with the pharmaceutical and food industry,” says Seidell. “It is as if the food industry sponsored scientists would release a disk of five 2.0, without the food center or health council being involved.”
The research is co-financed by Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical giant who, thanks to the sale of slimming and diabetes drugs Wegovy and Ozempic, recently grew into the most valuable company in Europe. According to the researchers, it is “extremely problematic” that a company with financial interests in obesity and diabetes wants to redefine the classification system.
The food industry has been criticizing the Nova system for some time. Critics find the classification too simplistic and arbitrary. For example, soy milk would also fall into the ‘ultra-processed’ category as fried snacks or cookie-dough ice cream, while these products vary greatly in terms of nutritional values. Interest groups have been arguing for a new system for some time.
It is uncertain whether this new system will come. In response to the open letter, the Danish researchers removed all references to Nova 2.0 and the term ‘ultra -processed food’ from their website. The investigation is continued under a different name.