What in the World - How ultra-processed foods impact the body

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Ultra-processed food - things like biscuits and crisps - are making up more and more of our diets globally. In the US and the UK, ultra-processed food actually make up half the calories we eat. New research is calling for more action to reduce this intake because of its potential threat to our health. But what is ultra-processed food and how does it impact the body?

We’re joined by the BBC health reporter Annabel Rackham and Priscila Machado, a nutritionist from Deakin’s Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition in Australia, to talk through everything we need to know. We discuss what ultra-processed food is, what it contains, how to spot it, and if we need to worry about eating it.

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Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Mora Morrison and Benita Barden
Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal
Editor: Verity Wilde

Published on Thursday, 15th January 2026.

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