Data Attribution

About Our Data Source

The Ultra Processed Food List website primarily uses data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service's FoodData Central.

FoodData Central is a comprehensive resource that provides expanded data on nutrients and other food components. It includes five distinct data types: Foundation Foods, Branded Foods, Standard Reference (SR) Legacy, Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies (FNDDS), and Experimental Foods. We primarily utilize the Branded Foods data type accessed via the FoodData Central API.

Required Attribution

When using data from FoodData Central, the USDA requires the following citation:

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. fdc.nal.usda.gov.

This attribution is included in the footer of our website.

Processing Level Index

The Processing Level Index (PLI) displayed on this website is our own creation, developed to help consumers understand the degree of processing in food products. This index is calculated based on:

1. Ingredients lists obtained from USDA FoodData Central
2. Number and types of additives present
3. Processing methods indicated by certain ingredients
4. Nutritional factors (e.g., high sodium, sugar, fat content)
5. Total number of ingredients

The PLI ranges from 1-10, where:

• 1-3: Minimally processed foods
• 4-6: Moderately processed foods
• 7-10: Ultra-processed foods

Important: The Processing Level Index is our interpretation of the data and does not represent an official classification from the USDA or any regulatory body.

Data Accuracy Disclaimer

While we strive to provide accurate information using the USDA FoodData Central API, please note:

• The FoodData Central database is continuously updated, and there may be delays in reflecting the absolute latest information
• Products and their ingredients may change over time due to reformulations by manufacturers
• Regional variations of the same product may exist
• Our Processing Level Index is an algorithmic interpretation and may not perfectly represent every product's processing level

We recommend checking the product packaging directly for the most current and accurate information. If you notice any discrepancies, please contact us.

Changes and Modifications to the Original Data

In creating the Ultra Processed Food List website, we have:

1. Retrieved data via the USDA FoodData Central API
2. Processed and cleaned the retrieved data
3. Calculated our own Processing Level Index
4. Categorized products based on their ingredients and processing level
5. Created relationships between products, brands, and ingredients
6. Added additional information about alternatives to ultra-processed foods