Nutritionists Challenge “Ultra-Processed” Label on Whole Grain Cereals, Citing Nutritional Value
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – A growing debate is brewing among nutrition expertsโ overโ the categorization of breakfast cereals within the widely-used NOVA food classificationโ system. Developed by researchers atโข the University of Sรฃo Paulo in Brazil, NOVA groups foods based on processing levels, advising caution around “ultra-processed” items. Though, nutritionists are arguing the system is โbeing misinterpreted, perhaps leading consumers to โdismiss genuinely โฃhealthy options.
The controversy centersโค onโ the fact that all breakfast cereals are currently classified as “ultra-processed,” despite offering valuable nutrients. Registered Dietitian Courtney Pelitera explains, “Processing simply refers to all physical, biological and chemical methodsโค used during food manufacturing, including the use of additives.This classification system โwas never meant to determine the โ’healthiness of food’ as has become popular on social media channels.”
Kelly Toups LeBlanc, VP of Nutrition โProgramming โฃat oldways, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that notโ all ultra-processed foods are nutritionally โขequivalent. “Some ultra-processed foods, like wholeโ grainโ breakfast cereals, contain crucial foodโ groups recommended in the Dietary guidelines for americans. Other ultra-processed foods, like candy bars and soft drinks, do not.”
leblanc points to inconsistenciesโ within the NOVA system itself. “For example, refined grains like all-purpose flour, degermed cornmeal, and white rice – which have been processed to removeโ healthful bran and germโ – are considered minimally processed, placing them โขin theโค same category as โคfresh broccoli. Simultaneously occurring, packaged 100% whole grain breads and whole โคgrain breakfast cereals areโ labeled โคas โขultra-processed.”
This miscategorization is particularly concerning given the role โwholeโ grain cereals play inโข nutritionโข assistance programs. leblanc highlightsโ a recent USDA study, published in 2023, which demonstrated the feasibility of a nutritious 2,000-calorieโ diet comprisedโ of โข91% ultra-processed foods. (“In a 2023 study“).
The debate underscores the need for a nuanced understandingโค ofโ food โprocessing and its impact on nutritional value. While acknowledging the importance of limiting highly processed foods like sugaryโข drinks and candy, nutritionistsโข are urging consumers not to automatically equate “ultra-processed” with “unhealthy,” particularly whenโค it comes to whole grain cereals.
Theโ question of what constitutes a healthy breakfast cereal remains.Expertsโฃ are continuing to evaluate criteria beyond processing level, focusing on factors โlike fiber content,โ added sugar, and whole grain inclusion. Further details on what registered dietitians lookโค for in a breakfast cereal will โbe releasedโ shortly.
