Overview

• An international study estimates 17,781 premature deaths in the UK in 2018/19 may be linked to ultra-processed foods (UPFs).
• UPFs account for 53% of the average UK diet, the second highest proportion among the eight countries analyzed, following the US at 55%.
• Each 10% increase in UPF consumption is associated with a 3% rise in all-cause mortality risk, according to the study's findings.
• Experts call for governments to consider dietary guidelines targeting UPF reduction, though the study's observational design cannot confirm causality.
• The debate continues over whether health risks stem from industrial processing itself or the high fat, sugar, and salt content of UPFs.