What is NOVA’s Food Classification System?

The NOVA food classification system divides food products into four groups based on how much food has been processed.

Researchers at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil developed the NOVA food classification system.

The four groups are as follows:

1. Unprocessed or minimally processed foods:

These foods have no added ingredients and have been slightly altered from their natural state. This food includes vegetables, fruits, nuts, pulses, seeds, and milk.

2. Processed Culinary Ingredients:

These processed culinary ingredients are made from unprocessed foods through gentle processing. These foods are added to other foods rather than eaten by themselves, such as salt, sugar, oils, butter, and spices.

3. Processed Foods:

These foods are made by combining foods from groups 1 and 2, that are altered partially. They include foods such as jam, pickles, tinned fruits and vegetables, homemade bread, and cheese.

4. Ultra-processed foods:

These foods typically have many added ingredients such as salt, sugar, oil, fat, preservatives, sweeteners, artificial colors, emulsifiers, and flavors. These foods include soda, carbonated drinks, ham, sausage, fast food, etc.