Nova classification

Clockwise: Mustard seed in minimally processed forms and processed as a condiment

The Nova classification (Portuguese: nova classificação, 'new classification') is a framework for grouping edible substances based on the extent and purpose of food processing applied to them. Researchers at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, proposed the system in 2009.^[1]

Nova classifies food into four groups:

Unprocessed or minimally processed foods
Processed culinary ingredients
Processed foods
Ultra-processed foods^[2]

The system has been used worldwide in nutrition and public health research, policy, and guidance as a tool for understanding the health implications of different food products.^[3]

^ Monteiro, Carlos A. (2009-05-01). "Nutrition and health. The issue is not food, nor nutrients, so much as processing". Public Health Nutrition. 12 (5): 729–731. doi:10.1017/S1368980009005291. ISSN 1475-2727. PMID 19366466. S2CID 42136316.
^ Monteiro, Carlos A.; Cannon, Geoffrey; Levy, Renata B; Moubarac, Jean-Claude; Louzada, Maria L. C.; Rauber, Fernanda; Khandpur, Neha; Cediel, Gustavo; Neri, Daniela; Martinez-Steele, Euridice; Baraldi, Larissa G.; Jaime, Patricia C. (2019). "Ultra-processed foods: What they are and how to identify them". Public Health Nutrition. 22 (5): 936–941. doi:10.1017/S1368980018003762. ISSN 1368-9800. PMC 10260459. PMID 30744710.
^ Monteiro, Carlos Augusto; Cannon, Geoffrey; Lawrence, Mark; da Costa Louzada, Maria Laura; Machado, Priscila Pereira (2019). Ultra-processed foods, diet quality, and health using the NOVA classification system. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ISBN 978-92-5-131701-3.

[1] Monteiro, Carlos A. (2009-05-01). "Nutrition and health. The issue is not food, nor nutrients, so much as processing". Public Health Nutrition. 12 (5): 729–731. doi:10.1017/S1368980009005291. ISSN 1475-2727. PMID 19366466. S2CID 42136316.

[Monteiro2019-2] Monteiro, Carlos A.; Cannon, Geoffrey; Levy, Renata B; Moubarac, Jean-Claude; Louzada, Maria L. C.; Rauber, Fernanda; Khandpur, Neha; Cediel, Gustavo; Neri, Daniela; Martinez-Steele, Euridice; Baraldi, Larissa G.; Jaime, Patricia C. (2019). "Ultra-processed foods: What they are and how to identify them". Public Health Nutrition. 22 (5): 936–941. doi:10.1017/S1368980018003762. ISSN 1368-9800. PMC 10260459. PMID 30744710.

[3] Monteiro, Carlos Augusto; Cannon, Geoffrey; Lawrence, Mark; da Costa Louzada, Maria Laura; Machado, Priscila Pereira (2019). Ultra-processed foods, diet quality, and health using the NOVA classification system. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ISBN 978-92-5-131701-3.

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