EDA’s Q&A on Ultra Processed Foods

• Dairy products provide high-quality protein and essential vitamins and minerals and are recommended as part of healthy diets across Europe.
• Food processing plays an essential role in making dairy products safe, nutritious, stable and accessible, while helping to reduce food waste. Nevertheless, concerns have been raised that the consumption of certain processed products may be associated with adverse health effects, contributing to the ongoing debate around ultra-processed foods (UPFs).
• Processing alone is not a reliable indicator of a food's nutritional quality or health impact, and consumer guidance and nutrition policy should be based on nutritional composition, health impact and overall dietary patterns.