Despite growing concern about health risks related to high consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), there has not been consensus on how to define UPFs for policy purposes. To meet this need, last year Healthy Eating Research convened an expert panel to develop evidence-informed recommendations for policymakers and advocates interested in advancing policies to limit UPF […]
2025 FERN fellows
The end of summer marks the end of GFRP’s fourth year of the Fellowship for Exploring Research in Nutrition (FERN), a 9-week internship for undergraduate students interested in food policy research. Over the course of their summer, the fellows built foundational research skills, attended professional development workshops, assisted on research projects and learned about current topics and […]
Rampant in-store marketing for unhealthy snacks in South African supermarkets underscores need for regulation
A new study published in Public Health Nutrition examining the snack food environment in South African supermarkets reveals that ultra-processed, high-sugar, and high-sodium snacks are overwhelmingly available and aggressively marketed to consumers. Conducted by researchers at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, this […]
Study shows Latino families more likely to have purchased toddler milk
Though multiple national health organizations recommend against giving toddler milk – a nutrient-fortified drink for children ages 12 months to 3 years that often contains added sugars – to young children, a new study suggests Latino families may be at particularly high risk for purchasing the product. The study from authors at UNC-Chapel Hill’s Gillings […]
Study: “No Fat,” “No Sugar,” no guarantee of nutritional quality
Nutrient claims such as “Low Fat” or “Sugar Free” on food packaging may give consumers a sense of confidence before they make a purchase, but these claims do not always reflect the overall nutritional quality of the food. These are the findings of a new study led by GFRP researchers in collaboration with the Duke-UNC […]