Who Eats the Most Processed Food? A Global Perspective

December 20, 2025 •

3 min read

According to data from recent studies, residents of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia consume more ultra-processed foods (UPFs) than almost anywhere else in the world, with these items making up over half of their daily caloric intake. The average American, for instance, gets about 60% of their calories from ultra-processed foods. This high consumption is a trend with significant public health implications, transforming global dietary patterns and raising concerns about chronic disease rates.

Quick Summary

This article examines the nations with the highest consumption of processed foods, detailing contributing factors such as Western dietary shifts and food industry influence. It discusses regional disparities and the health consequences linked to high intake of ultra-processed items.

Key Points

US and UK Lead Consumption: The United States and the United Kingdom consistently show the highest consumption rates of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), with UPFs making up well over half of the average diet.
Higher Intake Among Youth: In high-consuming nations, children and adolescents often have an even higher percentage of their caloric intake derived from UPFs compared to adults.
Socioeconomic Factors Play a Role: Studies indicate that in countries like the US, lower-income adults consume more ultra-processed foods, highlighting an important socioeconomic disparity.
Contrast with Mediterranean Diets: Countries that emphasize traditional food patterns, such as Italy and Portugal, have significantly lower UPF consumption and better related health markers.
Health Risks are Significant: High UPF consumption is linked to increased risks of obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and poor mental health.
Reducing Intake is Achievable: Individual strategies such as cooking more at home, reading food labels, and making simple food swaps can effectively decrease reliance on ultra-processed products.

Top Countries and Consumption Trends

Several high-income, Anglo-Saxon countries consistently lead global rankings for ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption. This is largely attributed to a long-term shift away from traditional, whole-food-based diets, coupled with the aggressive expansion of the UPF industry.

The United States

The U.S. is a clear frontrunner in high UPF intake. A CDC report from August 2025 noted that Americans consume an average of 55% of their total calories from ultra-processed foods. For young people aged 1 to 18, this figure is even higher, at nearly 62%. Staple items, even those perceived as basic, are often highly processed in the U.S. food supply. This reality is complicated by factors like socioeconomic status, with lower-income adults typically consuming more UPFs than their higher-income counterparts.

The United Kingdom

The UK closely follows the U.S. in high UPF consumption, with reports showing that almost 60% of an adult's daily diet and up to 68% of an adolescent's diet consists of these items. A shift away from fresh ingredients towards convenience foods has been a key driver over recent decades. This has resulted in the UK having one of the highest proportions of UPFs in its diet among Western nations.

Canada and Australia

Both Canada and Australia also exhibit high rates of UPF consumption, with nearly half of Canadians' calories and significant portions of Australians' diets coming from these products. The UPF industry's strong presence and the decline of traditional dietary patterns in these high-income nations have been major contributing factors. In Canada, while consumption of some UPFs like sugary drinks has declined among youth, others like ultra-processed breads have increased across all age groups.

Comparison Table of Ultra-Processed Food Consumption


Country	Approx. % of Daily Calories from UPFs	Key Trends and Observations
United States	55–60%	Highest consumption rate; lower-income groups consume more; high availability of UPF staples.
United Kingdom	57–60%	Highest in Europe; even higher consumption among children and adolescents; fueled by rise of convenience foods.
Canada	~47%	Among the top five global consumers; higher consumption seen in children and adolescents.
Italy	~10–13%	One of the lowest consumption rates in Europe, associated with adherence to the Mediterranean diet.
Portugal	~10%	Very low consumption in Europe, favoring fresh ingredients.
France	~14%	Low consumption compared to Anglo-Saxon countries, with a stronger tradition of whole foods.

The Health Consequences of High UPF Diets

The link between high UPF intake and negative health outcomes is well-documented, with numerous studies correlating it to increased risks of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Beyond these, UPF consumption is also associated with a greater likelihood of poor mental health, including symptoms of depression and anxiety. The combination of unhealthy additives, high levels of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, and displacement of nutrient-dense whole foods are believed to be key mechanisms behind these health issues.

Strategies for Reducing Processed Food Consumption

Reducing the intake of highly processed foods can be achieved through a variety of practical strategies. Many experts suggest focusing on consuming more unprocessed or minimally processed items and cooking at home more often.

Actionable steps to reduce UPF intake:

Embrace 'cooking from scratch': Creating meals from fresh, raw ingredients allows for complete control over salt, sugar, and fat content.
Prioritize whole foods: Increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and legumes.
Read food labels carefully: Look for short ingredient lists and avoid products with a multitude of unfamiliar chemicals or additives.
Make easy swaps: Substitute sugary cereals with rolled oats and fresh fruit, or packaged snacks with nuts and seeds.
Stay hydrated with water: Replace sugar-sweetened beverages with water infused with fruit.
Plan ahead: Meal prepping can prevent reliance on convenience foods during busy times.

Conclusion

While high-income, Westernized nations like the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada are the most significant consumers of ultra-processed foods, this trend has global implications. The dietary shift towards these highly convenient but less nutritious products is associated with serious public health challenges. Reversing this trend requires both individual dietary changes, such as prioritizing whole foods and home cooking, and broader societal efforts to improve the food environment. Understanding who eats the most processed food and why is a critical first step toward building healthier eating patterns worldwide.

You can explore more about the global rise of ultra-processed foods here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ultra-processed foods are industrial formulations made mostly or entirely from substances derived from foods and additives, with little or no unprocessed food included. Examples include soft drinks, packaged snacks, sugary cereals, and reconstituted meat products.

Higher consumption in some countries, particularly Anglo-Saxon nations, is linked to a long history of industrial food production, the decline of traditional dietary habits, and the widespread marketing and availability of convenient, packaged foods.

Diets high in ultra-processed foods are strongly linked to increased risk of obesity, but it is not the sole cause. UPFs are often energy-dense and high in sugar, fat, and salt, which can lead to overconsumption and weight gain.

No. The level of processing is key. Minimally processed foods like frozen fruits, canned vegetables, and whole-wheat bread can be part of a healthy diet. However, ultra-processed foods are generally the most problematic.

A key sign is a long list of ingredients that includes items not typically used in home cooking, such as high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, artificial flavors, and emulsifiers. Products with a long shelf life are also often ultra-processed.

Easy swaps include trading sugary breakfast cereals for plain rolled oats with fresh fruit, replacing packaged snacks with nuts or popcorn, and choosing plain yogurt over sweetened versions.

Yes, statistics from countries like the US and UK show that children and adolescents consume a higher percentage of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods than the adult population.