Author is director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab and professor in food distribution and policy at AV俱乐部. Co-author is a research associate at the Agri-Food Analaytics Lab from the School of Information Management.聽
Ultra-processed foods, a label coined , have been targeted as a menace to society for quite some time, mostly by environmental advocates and health professionals.
, the distinction between processed foods and ultra-processed foods is is a matter of individual perception. Many consumers recognize that ultra-processed foods contain additives and artificial ingredients, .
Few have dared to counter the argument that ultra-processed foods are bad for us, and the massive movement against them has clearly influenced public policy around the world. At home, for example, Canada鈥檚 Food Guide recommends .
However, the socio-economic implications of discouraging consumers from purchasing and consuming these products have been under-appreciated, for the most part. There鈥檚 been scant attention paid to how , and in arguments against processed foods.
Nearly a decade ago, the value of processed foods suddenly Consumers not only began to question the value of processed foods, but they also feared these foods contributed to chronic non-communicable diseases, It became a common perception that processed foods contributed, at the very least, to unhealthy dietary patterns.
However, the past 40 years has also seen an exponential rise in women entering or returning to the workforce 鈥� nearly 70 per cent of households in Canada , leaving much less time for families to focus on home cooking. At the same time, , failing to keep pace with cost-of-living increases, squeezing families financially. These financial and time burdens on families are felt more acutely by women, with feeling that they don鈥檛 have enough time in the day, yet the division of unpaid labour .
Cuts costs, saves time
Processed foods allow consumers to save both time and money. Acquiring these products means less time in the kitchen. Families with fewer means often have less spare time since they work longer hours for less pay or hold multiple jobs to make ends meet.
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Decades ago, to prepare three meals a day for a family of four and, of course, women were largely responsible. Processed foods have allowed the same family to accomplish the same task in exponentially less time. In order words, the narrative suggesting that ultra-processed foods should be outlawed completely overlooks the contribution that food science has made for more than a century now.
Suggesting that families spend more time preparing home-cooked meals without considering the implications on already overburdened women is also sexist since most of the cooking in most households .
The media has also put undue pressure on women to be perfect mothers, even as many of them work full-time, leading to . Indeed, pressures to eat 鈥渃lean鈥� and keep a picture-perfect house while maintaining an environmentally conscious household and an aura of complete happiness .
Processed food has made an undeniably significant contribution to our food systems. And it鈥檚 had other, largely forgotten benefits 鈥� it protects us against post-harvest loss and .
Most consumers may not know that processing reduces waste and has made foods edible and palatable. These foods enhance food quality, remove potential innate toxins and improve nutrient bio-availability. Most importantly, processing adds nutrients and supplies food to the population that improves public health.
Rising obesity rates
Studies have associated rising obesity rates . While these observations are largely correct, most have not demonstrated, beyond a reasonable doubt, a clear causational relationship between the two.
Ultra-processed foods may play a part in an unhealthy lifestyle, but cannot be considered the main contributor. Oversimplified analytics can lead to damaging conclusions, where access to nutritional information, level of food insecurity and cultural approaches to food consumption all contribute to the food choices of consumers.
Food processors have certainly marketed awful products, including , and in an effort to offer more convenience to consumers. But they鈥檙e now more attuned to current market trends. Many new, healthy products are available, such as , and . The trend suggests food processors are listening to consumers.
Eating well requires us to go back to the basics: choose smaller portions, eat fruits and vegetables, eat whole grains, help yourself to a balanced portfolio of proteins and sometimes enjoy a donut 鈥� .
The dialogue on ultra-processed foods in recent years has stigmatized many food products and branded an entire sector of the food industry as reckless. But and provide much-needed nutrients to consumers pressed for time and money.
Processed foods are a viable way of improving nutritional profiles and nutrient intakes, and food processors have made great strides in ensuring quality nutritious products over the last few years. So let鈥檚 stop discriminating against ultra-processed foods, and ease up on those who turn to them for reasons of time, convenience and affordability.
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