A new online tool, TrueFood, helps shoppers make healthier choices by ranking the level of food processing in products found at popular stores like Whole Foods, Target, and Walmart.
The tool assigns a score to each product from 0 to 100. A score of 0 means the food is minimally processed, while scores over 70 indicate ultra-processed foods. While experts don’t suggest eliminating processed foods entirely, they advise paying attention to ingredients and choosing whole foods when possible.
Ultra-processed foods have been linked to health risks such as heart disease, obesity, and cancer. However, nearly 70% of the U.S. food supply is ultra-processed, making it difficult to avoid them completely.
TrueFood is a new tool developed by researchers from Northeastern University, Harvard Medical School, and other institutions. It helps consumers navigate the food aisles by showing which products are more or less processed, allowing people to make more informed decisions.
What You Need to Know About Food Processing
Understanding food processing can be tricky. Foods fall into four categories based on the NOVA scale:
Unprocessed or minimally processed: These foods are close to their natural state, such as fresh fruits and vegetables.
Processed culinary ingredients: These foods undergo minimal processing, like milling or grinding. Examples include almond flour and olive oil.
Processed foods: These foods are altered with ingredients like sugar or salt. Examples include canned fruits or smoked meats.
Ultra-processed foods: These contain artificial ingredients and preservatives, making them last longer but also less healthy. Examples include chips and energy bars.
How TrueFood Works
TrueFood is based on research published in Nature Food, which used machine learning to create a database called GroceryDB. This database includes over 50,000 food items, categorized by their processing levels.
TrueFood allows users to browse food categories or search for a specific product. Each product is given a processing score and includes details about its ingredients and nutrition. Foods closer to zero are less processed, while foods over 70 are considered ultra-processed.
Making Smarter Grocery Decisions
Although processed foods aren’t always bad, dietitians recommend choosing whole foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats when possible. These are the least processed and healthiest options. But some processed foods, like protein powder and plant-based milk, can be part of a balanced diet.
TrueFood is a useful tool for understanding the level of processing in foods, but it only covers products available at Whole Foods, Target, and Walmart. If a product isn’t listed, it may not be included in the database.
Still, for products that are included, the tool can help you evaluate processing levels and make smarter choices. Always check the ingredient list to see what’s in the food you’re buying.
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