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# A UK database of ultra-processing markers is released for Nova classification research
- URL: https://www.coios.me/a-uk-database-of-ultra-processing-markers-is-released-for/
- Published: 2026-09-27T08:55:36.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-27T10:00:37.000Z
- Description: Researchers have built and released a freely accessible UK database of food additives and non-culinary food substances coded as markers of ultra-processing, with two alternative definitions reflecting ambiguity in additive technical functions.
- Author: Daniel Ryan
- Tags: Weighing data and models, Revisions and new sources, Diet, exercise and sleep, United Kingdom, #preprint, #new, #data, #source-2026-09

The authors compiled all additives approved in the UK, retrieved their technical functions, and coded each function as cosmetic (a marker of ultra-processing) or non-cosmetic, adding flavourings and the non-culinary food substances named in the Nova classification while excluding fortificants, herbs and spices. Two alternative ultra-processed food definitions were constructed to reflect overlap and ambiguity between additive functions. The resulting database is openly available to researchers.

*What you could now answer: Nova-based UK estimates have depended on ad hoc additive lists, so a shared marker database makes ultra-processed food exposures comparable across studies, and the two definitions quantify how much classification choice matters.*

Source

[medRxiv](https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.09.24.26363859?ref=coios.me)

Coverage

United Kingdom; additives approved as of compilation; applicable to UK food composition and dietary survey data

Granularity

Individual additive and food substance, with technical function coded as cosmetic or non-cosmetic

Latency

not stated

Access

Freely accessible to researchers; licence not stated

Change

New source

Driver

[Revisions and new sources](https://www.coios.me/d-data-sources/)

Driver

[Diet, exercise and sleep](https://www.coios.me/d-diet-activity/)