Over 300 products from 23 different brands have now received verification as non-ultraprocessed under the Non-GMO Project’s Non-UPF Verified label, marking a significant expansion in the nine months since its launch.
CEO of the Non-GMO Project, Megan Westgate, stated, “When we introduced Non-UPF Verified earlier this year, we understood that consumers were becoming more curious about the production process of their food. The fact that over 300 products have achieved verification in such a short period demonstrates that brands are responding to this demand for increased transparency.”
The verified products cover 15 food and beverage categories and include offerings from popular brands like Simple Mills, Chomps, and Blue Diamond almonds. An additional 41 brands are currently in the process of seeking verification.
In response to growing consumer interest, the initiative is launching an app that allows shoppers to scan barcodes on packaged foods to determine if a brand is Non-UPF Verified. If a product lacks verification, consumers can request certification, signaling their demand directly to food producers.
A majority of surveyed consumers believe that ultraprocessed foods are addictive and contribute significantly to chronic health conditions like obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. While awareness of ultraprocessed foods is high, many Americans struggle to explain what they are.
Labels such as the Non-UPF Verified standard aim to bridge this information gap by offering consumers a simple way to differentiate between products. Other third-party verification systems are also available, and California is on track to implement the nation’s first statewide non-ultraprocessed label.
The Non-UPF Verified label assesses products based on their level of processing and the presence of certain additives or excessive refined added sugar. The label distinguishes itself from California’s proposed program by focusing on processing rather than ingredients and nutritional content.
Westgate added, “We embrace the growing discourse on food processing and the opportunity to enhance transparency in food production. It is valuable for policymakers, researchers, food producers, and certifiers to contribute their unique perspectives to this dialogue. Processing should be a central aspect of this conversation.”
Brands that have received Non-UPF Verified certification include Amy’s Kitchen, Big Tree Farms, BjornQorn, Blue Diamond, Brothers-All-Natural, Chomps, and many more. One participating brand has chosen to remain anonymous, according to Non-UPF Verified.