From Pasta to Packaged: Who’s Eating Italy’s Ultra-Processed Foods?

December 1, 2025 26

Higher Mediterranean Diet adherence links to lower ultra-processed food intake in Italian adults.

From Pasta to Packaged: Who’s Eating Italy’s Ultra-Processed Foods?

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) now account for one-fifth of daily calories among Italian adults, highlighting a subtle yet significant shift in the country’s dietary landscape.

() Published in the journal Nutrients, the study examined how sociodemographic factors and adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) influence UPF consumption, offering a clearer picture of emerging cultural and nutritional trends in Italy.

TOP INSIGHT

Want to cut down on #ultraprocessed_foods? Look to Italy! New data shows that a stronger commitment to the #Mediterranean_Diet drives intake down. Let’s reclaim the benefits of whole, #traditional_foods for our health. #HealthGoals #DietaryPatterns #EatClean

Nationwide Survey Reveals Italian Adults’ Dietary Patterns and UPF Intake

The study, conducted between 2021 and 2025, surveyed 1,629 adults across Italy using a web-based questionnaire to assess dietary intake over the previous year.

Participants reported the frequency and portion sizes of 94 food items, which were categorized according to the NOVA system into unprocessed or minimally processed foods, processed culinary ingredients, processed foods, and ultra-processed foods.

Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet was evaluated using the Medi-Lite score, with higher scores indicating stronger adherence to traditional eating patterns.

Findings showed that minimally processed foods accounted for 39 percent of energy intake, processed foods 32 percent, UPFs 20 percent, and processed culinary ingredients 9 percent.

The main sources of UPFs were packaged biscuits, chocolate, crackers, ready-to-heat pizza, and plant-based drinks, reflecting the growing popularity of sweet and carbohydrate-rich convenience foods.

In contrast, traditional staples such as dried pasta, fresh fruits, vegetables, and olive oil remained dominant among minimally processed foods.

Sociodemographic Trends Show Who Consumes the Most Ultra-Processed Foods in Italy

The study highlighted clear sociodemographic patterns in UPF consumption. Younger adults, singles, and residents of Northern Italy were more likely to consume higher amounts of UPFs, whereas older adults, married individuals, and residents of Central and Southern Italy maintained lower intake levels, indicating stronger adherence to traditional dietary habits.

Gender and living environment also played a role, with men consuming more processed foods and rural residents eating fewer processed foods than their urban counterparts.

Importantly, the study demonstrated a strong inverse relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and UPF consumption.

Participants with higher Medi-Lite scores consumed fewer ultra-processed foods and more minimally processed staples, while those with low MD adherence consumed the most UPFs. These findings underscore the protective role of Mediterranean eating patterns in limiting the intake of highly processed convenience foods.

Despite UPFs accounting for a smaller proportion of calories in Italy than in many other high-income countries, the study signals potential emerging health and cultural risks. Higher UPF consumption among younger and more urban populations suggests shifting dietary patterns that could erode traditional Mediterranean practices.

The researchers emphasize that public health strategies promoting MD adherence, improving access to minimally processed foods, and targeting at-risk groups may help curb rising UPF intake.

While the survey relied on a convenience sample and self-reported dietary data, limiting the generalizability of findings, it provides a critical snapshot of dietary transitions in Italy and highlights the need for larger, representative studies to monitor trends over time.

As Italy faces the challenge of balancing modern convenience with centuries-old culinary traditions, understanding who consumes ultra-processed foods and why will be essential for preserving both health and culture.

References:

Ultra-Processed Foods Consumption, Mediterranean Diet Adherence and Sociodemographic Correlates in an Italian Adult Population: The UFO Survey – (https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/17/23/3651)

Source-Medindia