Recently, there has been a lot of discussion surrounding ultra-processed foods. A recent episode of the BBC's Panorama hit the headlines after it investigated into the links between ultra-processed foods and chronic illnesses.
In the UK, diabetes' rates have hit record levels and cancers in young people are rising steeply. According to the investigation programme, there was growing evidence suggesting that such chronic illnesses could be linked with the food that we eat.
Ultra-processed foods are products that typically have five or more ingredients. They tend to include many additives and ingredients that are not typically used in home cooking, such as preservatives, emulsifiers, sweeteners, and artificial colours and flavours. These foods generally have a long shelf life.
