Transnational food corporations are increasingly expanding portfolios of “better for you,” “fortified,” and “functional” ultraprocessed foods-from high protein snacks and vitamin enriched drinks to plant based burgers. Framed within narratives of “nutrition security,” though, they allow the ultraprocessed food industry to appear part of the solution while undermining front-of-pack labelling, marketing restrictions, and fiscal measures.234 Their proposition is underpinned by scientific models that privilege nutrients and foods over dietary patterns. Focusing on “healthy” ultraprocessed foods represents a scientific and policy setback that fragments a simple, evidence based message that should guide dialog and policies- that is, avoid the displacement of long established diets based on fresh and minimally processed foods and cooked meals by ultraprocessed foods.Limits of nutrient based thinkingEpidemiological studies on individual nutrients and food groups have advanced our understanding…
NEW YORK,2026-01-27 16:04:00
The ‘Health Halo’ Hiding ultraprocessed Foods
Table of Contents
Are “better for you” snacks and fortified drinks truly improving our health,or are food companies cleverly sidestepping real nutritional reform?
- Transnational food corporations are expanding into “healthier” ultraprocessed options.
- These products are marketed as solutions to nutrient deficiencies and diet-related diseases.
- This strategy may undermine efforts to promote healthier eating habits based on whole foods.
- Focusing on individual nutrients distracts from the importance of overall dietary patterns.
Your scrolling the grocery aisle, and a protein bar screams “healthy!” at you. A vitamin-enriched drink promises an immunity boost. Plant-based burgers tout sustainability. But are these ultraprocessed foods-despite their marketing-actually good for you? Increasingly, transnational food corporations are banking on consumers saying “yes,” and expanding their portfolios of “better for you,” “fortified,” and “functional” options.
A Clever Strategy for the Food Industry
These products aren’t presented as indulgences; they’re framed as solutions to pressing public health concerns like nutrient deficiencies and diet-related diseases. However, experts suggest this approach allows the ultraprocessed food industry to appear proactive while simultaneously working against measures like clear front-of-pack labeling, restrictions on marketing, and taxes on unhealthy items.
The core of this strategy relies on scientific models that prioritize individual nutrients and specific foods, rather than looking at the bigger picture of overall dietary patterns. This narrow focus can be misleading, as a food packed with added vitamins doesn’t necessarily equate to a healthy diet.
The Problem with Nutrient-Based Thinking
Epidemiological studies examining individual nutrients and food groups have significantly advanced our understanding of nutrition. However, an overemphasis on isolated components can obscure the importance of a holistic approach. Focusing on “healthy” ultraprocessed foods, some argue, represents a setback in both scientific understanding and public health policy.
The most effective message, according to this outlook, is simple: prioritize diets built around fresh, minimally processed foods and home-cooked meals, and avoid letting ultraprocessed foods displace these traditional eating habits. It’s a return to basics,a reminder that real food should be the foundation of a healthy lifestyle.
