The ultra-processed food fad

The Times published an article about ultra-processed food today which only serves to highlight how ridiculous to whole fad is. I have written about it for The Critic.

 

This week, The Times told its readers how to avoid putting ultra-processed food in their shopping baskets. With the help of a nutritionist who thinks that “we should put warning signs on UPFs so that people know they’re not good for your health”, they rejected Hellmann’s mayonnaise because it contains “modified maize starch, sugar and natural flavouring”. Cholula Hot Sauce was rejected because it contains “the stabiliser xanthan gum”. Baked beans were rejected because they contain modified cornflour. Warburton’s crumpets were rejected because they contain “three e-numbers and a preservative”. A brand of Pesto was rejected because it contains “maize fibre, whey powder and flavourings”.

At no point were readers of The Times told how these ingredients were going to do them harm. What exactly is wrong with eating whey powder or modified cornflour? Xanthan gum is actually rather good for you. So is maize fibre. Preservatives stop food going off too quickly. Isn’t that a good thing?

 

Read it all.

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