How frightened should we be of ultra-processed food?

Dietician Sarah Keogh argues the UPF backlash has gone too far

Listen | 23:53
Some UPFs are obvious - like these donuts - some not so much. Photograph: Getty
Some UPFs are obvious - like these donuts - some not so much. Photograph: Getty

Ultra-processed foods are irresistible – they’re made that way. The food manufacturers that dominate our supermarket shelves are constantly looking for ways to make us buy (and that means eat) more. And to find cheaper ingredients.

But isn’t just about everything in our diet, apart from fresh fruit and vegetables, processed in some way? So why has ultra-processed food become the focus of so much concern and debate?

Nutritionist Sarah Keogh gives her view on what’s happening on our plates.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison is an Irish Times journalist and cohost of In the News podcast

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