ultra-processed

American  

[uhl-truh-pros-est] / ˈʌl trəˈprɒs ɛst /

Also highly processed

adjective

1. being, consisting of, or relating to a food product whose form and substance have gone through multiple processes of modification along with the addition of such ingredients as sugars, salt, fats, and artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.

   My intake of ultra-processed foods is down to an occasional hotdog at the ballpark and one weekly order of chicken nuggets.

   The study found that participants eating an ultra-processed diet ate faster.

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Etymology

Origin of ultra-processed

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ultra-processed

According to the researchers, this difference adds support to recommendations that parents limit how many ultra-processed foods toddlers consume.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 29, 2026

A review of toddler foods available at 21 Texas grocery stores found that ultra-processed products dominate the shelves.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 29, 2026

The transformation is visible everywhere: from supermarket shelves stocked with ultra-processed foods to pizzerias selling slices piled high with chips, sausages and fried snacks.

From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026

The team also examined several factors that could influence this behavior, including sex, age, education level, household income, living arrangements, urban or rural residence, and whether participants regularly consumed fruits, vegetables, or ultra-processed foods.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 4, 2026

McDonald’s chicken nuggets were apparently an ultra-processed food item too far for the folks at Six Flags’ Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 29, 2026