Episode transcript

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From Washington State University Extension, welcome to Food Safety in a Minute.

From a food science perspective, ultra-processed foods are foods altered from their original form through processing, lacking a “legal” definition. Ultra-processed foods often include additives considered less healthy such as sugar, salt, colorings, flavorings, and less healthy fats; linked to chronic health conditions and obesity.

Additives in ultra-processed food and their relationship to food safety and health are legitimate concerns. However, it’s important to note that many additives in processed food come from the Food and Drug Administration’s Generally Recognized as Safe or GRAS list. The usage of additives on this list is based on science and a long history of safe use. We’ll talk about the GRAS list in an upcoming podcast.

I’m Susie Craig. Thanks for listening.

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Resources:

Carlos Augusto Monteiro, Cannon, G., Lawrence, M., Costa Louzada, M.L., and Pereira Machado, P. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Ultra-processed foods, diet quality, and health using the NOVA classification system. Rome, 2019. Accessed online 1/15/25. https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/5277b379-0acb-4d97-a6a3-602774104629/content.

US Food and Drug Administration. Code of Federal Regulations. Part 170 – Food Additives. Accessed online 2/5/25. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-170.