Majority Of Europeans Consider Ultra-Processed Foods Unhealthy, Study Finds

The pan-European study, titled Consumer perceptions unwrapped: Ultra-processed foods, also revealed that 67% of those surveyed believe that ultra-processed foods contribute to obesity, diabetes, and other lifestyle-related health issues.

The study comprised nearly 10,000 consumers across 17 European countries.

The research also showed that two thirds (67%) of consumers in Europe dislike the presence of unfamiliar ingredients in food items, and two fifths (40%) said that they are not confident about regulations on ultra-processed foods by authorities, expressing concerns about how safe and healthy they are in the long term.

Moreover, six in ten (60%) of those surveyed consider the category to be harmful to the environment, as it is perceived to be unnatural, due to the presence of chemicals and the involvement of industrial production processes.

Many consumers are also confused and uncertain about the extent to which their food is processed, both over- and underestimating this aspect.

The data showed that six in ten consumers (61%) identified energy drinks as ultra-processed, while only 34% and 22%, respectively, correctly identified vegan cheese and chocolate bars as being ultra-processed.

ESM