Non-UPF Certification Criteria
Below you will find the criteria for Non-UPF Certified products. Following our trademark in June 2024, we built a comprehensive database of ingredients and additives that identify Nova Group 4 foods. We also identified preservatives that are emerging as potentially harmful. Every product undergoes rigorous review.
Allowed
Nova Group 1–3 Foods: Unprocessed/minimally processed foods, processed culinary ingredients, and processed foods.
Not Allowed
Nova Group 4 Foods are not allowed. These are foods that contain the following types of ingredients or additives, or go through the following industrial processing methods. In addition, our criteria excludes certain preservatives.
| Not Allowed | Some Examples | Why It’s Not Allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Sugars & Syrups (Ultra-processed sugars) | High-fructose corn syrup • Fructose • Dextrose • Maltodextrin • Invert sugar • Fruit juice concentrates | Added for hyper-palatability, not found in traditional kitchens |
| Modified Starches & Carbohydrates | Modified starches • Maltodextrin | Industrial carbohydrate ingredients used for texture, binding, processing |
| Modified & Industrial Oils | Hydrogenated oils • Interesterified oils | Chemically altered oils not found in home cooking |
| Protein Isolates / Extracts | Soy protein isolate • Casein • Whey protein • Hydrolyzed proteins • Gluten • Mechanically separated meat | Extracted or reassembled through industrial processes |
| Cosmetic Additives | Flavors • Colorants • Non-sugar sweeteners • Emulsifiers • Thickeners • Emulsifying salts • Anti-foaming, bulking, gelling, glazing, foaming agents | Used for texture, taste, appearance, or shelf-stability — not nourishment |
| Some Soluble & Isolated Fibers | Polydextrose • Resistant dextrin • Wheat dextrin • Inulin | Industrial fiber additives; often used to enhance texture or make foods appear healthier without being part of the original food matrix |
| Industrial Processing Methods | Extrusion • Molding • Pre-frying | Industrial methods; not traditional cooking |
| Preservatives* | BHT • BHA • TBHQ • Propylparaben • Synthetic nitrates/nitrites • BVO | These preservatives are excluded due to emerging evidence of potential harm |
*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. We reserve the right to update the criteria.