Assessing the effectiveness of interventions that target level of food processing

This project will assess whether food processing policies effectively change consumer behaviour to increase purchasing of minimally processed foods.

Background

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Eating too many ultra-processed foods (like packaged snacks, ready meals, and sugary drinks) is linked to health problems. Experts suggest we need policies to discourage these foods and promote minimally processed foods (like fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains) instead. 

Aims and Objectives

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To review all available studies on whether policies and programmes aimed at reducing ultra-processed food consumption actually work. 

Methodology

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We searched multiple databases in May 2024 for studies published since 2010 that tested policies or programmes focused on food processing levels. They looked at whether these interventions affected what people bought, ate, knew about nutrition, and their attitudes toward food. They combined results from 28 studies involving over 28,000 people and assessed the quality of the evidence. 

Policy Relevance and Dissemination

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While small-scale educational programmes show modest benefits, there's been little translation into actual national policies. The individual-level improvements are small but could have meaningful public health benefits if implemented more widely. However, without larger policy action, the overall impact remains limited.

Timing

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April 2024 - October 2024

 

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The NIHR Policy Research Unit in Healthy Weight is part of the NIHR and hosted by UCL.