Non-UPF Certification Criteria
Below you will find the criteria for Non-UPF Certified products.
Allowed
Nova Groups 1–3: Unprocessed/minimally processed, processed culinary ingredients, and processed.
Excluded Ultra-Processed Ingredients & Processes
Since trademarking the Non-UPF Certification in June 2024, we’ve identified hundreds of Nova Group 4 ingredients and additives. We review each product to ensure it contains no Nova Group 4 ingredients and fits within Nova Groups 1–3.
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.
| Category | Nova 4 + Additional Exclusion Criteria | Why It’s Excluded |
|---|---|---|
| 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; Nova Group 4 |
| 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 |
| Industrial Processing Methods | Extrusion • Molding • Pre-frying | Industrial methods; not traditional cooking |
| Excluded Preservatives | BHT • BHA • TBHQ • Propylparaben • Synthetic nitrates/nitrites • BVO | Excluded due to emerging evidence of potential harm |