Non-UPF Certification Application
Ready to have the Non-UPF Certification on your products? Submit an application to get started.
Choose the Right Application Type for Your Product
Please read the descriptions carefully before selecting your application path:
Select Whole Foods Non-UPF Application
Select this application if your product(s) is:
100% fresh produce with no added ingredients
Example: bagged lettuce without additivesSingle-ingredient, uncooked legumes or grains in whole form, and raw nuts and seeds
Example: dry black beans, dry uncooked quinoa, raw cashews
General Food Non-UPF Application
Select this application if your product does not meet the SELECT WHOLE FOODS APPLICATION criteria.
How it Works
Submitting an application does not guarantee approval. The Non-UPF Program reserves the right to approve or deny any application at its sole discretion based on internal standards and scientific review.
General Food Non-UPF Application
A non-refundable $75 application fee per product is required and will be credited toward the $100 annual certification fee if approved.
Select Whole Foods Non-UPF Application
A non-refundable $50 application fee is required. The application fee will be credited toward the total annual certification fee if approved, see the discounted sliding scale.
What Is Excluded
UPF are excluded from our certification. UPF are industrial formulations that contain ingredients (i.e.,high-fructose corn syrup, modified starches) and/or additives (i.e., flavors, colors, artificial sweeteners) not commonly found in your kitchen. UPF also include foods that are pre-fried, extruded, or molded.
For a detailed list, see Nova Group 4 classification.
The Non-UPF Program has worked extensively since we trademarked our certification in June 2024 to identify hundreds of additives and ingredients classified as Nova Group 4. We will evaluate whether your product excludes any ingredients in Nova Group 4 and whether it falls under Nova 1-3 categories.
Additional Preservatives Excluded
Nova Group 4 allows the use of preservatives, but some are emerging as potentially harmful. For the non-UPF application, we are excluding these additional preservatives:
BHT, Butylated Hydroxytoluene
Synthetic Nitrites and nitrates
Propylparaben
BHA, Butylated hydroxyanisole
TBHQ, Tert-butylhydroquinone
BVO, Brominated vegetable oil
We reserve the right to update the criteria.
What You Get When You Certify with Us
The Non-UPF Program is the first trademarked certification dedicated exclusively to identifying and verifying non-ultra-processed foods—trademarked in June 2024. Grounded in science and guided by the Nova classification system, we offer both credibility and leadership in the effort to reduce ultra-processed foods in the marketplace.
When you certify with the Non-UPF Program, your brand gains access to exclusive benefits:
A featured listing on our website
Promotion during upcoming consumer-based educational webinars
Early visibility across our social media platforms
A video interview spotlighting your food and its health benefits as certified Non-UPF
Additional Sponsored Opportunities
Certified brands may also be invited to participate in exclusive sponsored initiatives, including:
In-store pilot programs
Research collaborations and grant-funded projects
Featured video content with our nutrition and culinary experts
These opportunities amplify your brand’s impact while supporting a healthier food future and helping consumers make more informed choices.
Thank you for your interest in becoming a certified Non-UPF brand.
Your commitment helps consumers make healthier choices.