January 30, 2025

Trust the Process: A Food Scientist’s Perspective on Nova

The controversial food classification system raises reasonable questions about ultra-processed foods, but we need to think critically about what it fails to factor in.

Matt Teegarden

Food Technology Magazine

Over the course of my lifetime, the proportion of the world’s adult population that has obesity or is overweight has almost doubled. It is honestly staggering to think that this increase happened in such a short time. (OK, I am not that young. I am in my mid-30s, but that’s a large change in 30-plus years.) The increases are even more dramatic for children and teenagers, and the statistics for diet-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, are equally grim.

For years, processed foods have been a primary focus when assigning blame for these concerning health trends.

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Authors

Matt Teegarden PhD

Matt Teegarden, PhD, is a food scientist who has worked in industry and academia and has expertise in food, nutrition, and health. A past president of the IFT Student Association, he hosts Tasting Columbus, a web series that explores Central Ohio restaurants and highlights the science behind some popular dishes. He has a BS, MS, and PhD in food science and technology from The Ohio State University.