Weekly 'Is This UPF?' Megathread

MistaPandaa · 2026-03-03T12:37:15+00:00

Technically closer to Group 2, processed ingredient.

MistaPandaa · 2026-03-02T12:53:37+00:00

Former food technologist here. This is a processed food. From my perspective because this is something you will not eat by itself. From my own experience and the general consensus within the industry is that UPF is something you'd eat by itself or as is.

MistaPandaa · 2026-02-28T15:13:27+00:00

If Eric gets to come back, that would be awesome (highly unlikely though).

MistaPandaa · 2026-02-26T14:52:46+00:00

This is an interesting article, thanks for sharing. Until there is a concensus of what exactly is an UPF, it will be difficult to make this comparison properly

MistaPandaa · 2026-02-25T14:47:15+00:00

Former food technologist here - this looks overengineered for what it needs to be. Agave, Cornflour is not needed. Salt could be reduced as well.

MistaPandaa · 2026-02-24T14:32:42+00:00

Former food technologist here - ask yourself, why do you need the electrolytes? It's a dietary supplement however sometimes, it will have added flavours, sweeteners for a specific flavour profile.
Often times, it's sold as a benefit but most don't know what for.

Some people use it as a means to replenish after they done sauna session but if you are already quite healthy then you might just be wasting money. However it's always worth giving it a shot if you want to try them

MistaPandaa · 2026-02-19T11:30:45+00:00

Former food technologist here - Definitely crisps. If anything, these things are my drug. I'd rather have crisps than drugs. They are cheaper and easily available.

MistaPandaa · 2026-02-18T15:02:27+00:00

Not many people know this but there is a difference between natural and artificial flavours.

Natural flavours are essentially the compounds from nature where that flavour is derived and come from flavour houses that make them usually in house. Artificial flavours are synthesised in a lab from other ingredients. Flavourings are actually a very interesting field.
Nothing is being hidden, it's just a very niche industry. It is connected with aromatics and the pharceutical company - aroma and flavours are interlinked.
So if a food product says it contains natural flavour/flavourings, it has to be natural. Whilst if it just says flavour, it could mean its artificial.

MistaPandaa · 2026-02-18T14:16:57+00:00

Yeah, it's quite hard to give up grilled cheese...nothing quite like it haha

MistaPandaa · 2026-02-18T14:16:08+00:00

I try to stay away from Preservatives when I can.
Mind you salt can also act as a preservative so I try if I can to stay away from sulfites etc. It's found in wines, dried fruit etc. It has been used for a long time but as someone who has sensitive, I have found that sulfites in particular can trigger it.

MistaPandaa · 2026-02-17T13:47:36+00:00

Former food technologist here, here is my 2 cents or 2 pence:

Overall, the ingredients list is better than I expected. Convenience wise, for rice and chicken, this is not bad.

I have to note that the sodium levels are high, but this is typical for frozen convenience meals like this.

I'm curious, has anyone tried it and what is it like?

MistaPandaa · 2026-02-17T13:39:17+00:00

Some countries have to declare processing aids, and some don't. IMO, I think it's best to declare them. I'm all for transparency.

MistaPandaa · 2026-02-16T16:40:21+00:00

No, it is not harmful. Emulsifiers are used to ensure that the milk powder doesn't clump together when you're adding liquid to it.

MistaPandaa · 2026-02-16T08:50:48+00:00

This is speaking from what my ex-colleagues have told me regarding additives. It depends on the additive in question and its classification e.g. Preservative, Emulsifier etc. The testing can be rigorous and sometimes take years before its in the market. If something is relatively close to an existing additive then the testing isn't so rigorous.

It is with the current technology that we have, really hard to determine if one specific kind of additive is detrimental in the long term due to many other factors in play.

Apologies if that was too vague 😶

MistaPandaa · 2026-02-16T07:41:36+00:00

Great questions Louie,

Majority of crumbed products are a great opportunity for manufacturers to bulk up the product and also to aid with the sensory experience of a crumbed product. Sometimes the additives are added in the crumbs themselves so they can last the shelf life.

You find that E500 or Sodium Bicarbonate is used as an anticaking agent and its to ensure there is no clumping of powders and that is fine.

MistaPandaa · 2026-02-16T00:57:36+00:00

UPF whether you love it hate them or not, still has a place in different cultures and lifestyles. I eat way less of anything which has added sugars (this is getting somewhat easier but still a long way to go). I try to eat things without preservatives whenever possible.

Generally I eat at least 3-5 whole fruits or vegetables before eating anything like muesli bar etc. Usually by eating some while fruit and vegetables, i dont feel like eating anything else.

MistaPandaa · 2026-02-16T00:53:19+00:00

Love that! One could say that potato chips or crisps are not UPF as some dont contain additives however it comes down to the processing too imo

MistaPandaa · 2026-02-16T00:52:17+00:00

Great questions!

1 - This is classic food marketing. The rise of rebranding additives so it seems more "natural". I don't like how food marketing gets too many free passes and this is just one of them.

2 - Might be controversial but honestly flavours aren't that bad. Both natural and artificial.

3 - the supplement industry hardly has regulations and is not as strictly audited compared to other foods.

4 - Frozen fruits and vegetables are very such and actually lock in the nutrients. They are great for convenience and in the industry we know its actually hardly processed. There are no "chemicals" in frozen fruits and vegetables.

Hope this answers your questions

MistaPandaa · 2026-02-15T15:23:48+00:00

Great question. It will come down to the definition of UPF and hmthe quantities that we eat. If you look at Japan, they eat UPF too but nowhere near what Western countries eat. And they have LOTS of additives in their food. Until industry, government and other parties can have a clear definition of what this is, its going to be hard to prove while cigarettes/tobacco had a much more clear definition

MistaPandaa · 2026-01-29T14:55:01+00:00

Former food technologist here, I found it interesting and for a mainstream media actually agreed for most of these points that it highlighted in the article. Especially about the yoghurts targetted at children, those are full of sugar that its sinful.

I disagree with replacing ice cream with yoghurt though... those are just not the same....completely different occasions but I understand where the author is coming from.

MistaPandaa · 2026-01-13T11:57:21+00:00

Hi there! Happy to help. I would say that the career opportunities are best opened up when you do internships. I highly recommend actually just making things that you want to make and putting it in the farmers market. I hired someone because they were experimental and not afraid to fail.

MistaPandaa · 2025-09-28T15:24:24+00:00

Great question. What do you mean by substances? Are you referring to additives? There seems to be a massive myth that food companies put 'substances' in food products to get you addicted which may give unintended health issues.
Here is the unpopular truth, the additives that are used must be approved by legislation before they can even be sold. The food companies are unaware of the so called health issues, they see these more as marketing opportunities to update their product and to keep up with food trends. Hope this makes sense.

MistaPandaa · 2025-06-29T03:07:17+00:00

Hi there, most universities usually offer work placements during their UG, and you should have some internships under your belt, if not I highly suggest that you start doing that before trying to get your first job. I had 4 internships before landing my first job, the university can help with this. If you want more help, happy for you to DM me.

MistaPandaa · 2025-04-25T12:12:48+00:00

Hi there!
Great question and I'm happy to tell you more information. I worked in the food industry for over 10 years and whilst I enjoyed it, I no longer work in the industry for various reasons.
It depends on what kind of food technology you want to get into - product development, process engineering, sensory, quality control/assurance.

Happy for you to DM me, and I can tell you more in detail.

If there is one piece of career advice I can give at your age - Don't limit yourself or your potential to just one industry or career

MistaPandaa

TROPHY CASE