WISEcode™, a FoodTechAI™ company specialising in ingredient data, has announced the launch of a comprehensive suite of tools designed to standardise the evaluation of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). The company has introduced the Non-UPF Shield™ verification program and a formalised WISEcode UPF™ Standard, alongside a significant update to its consumer-facing mobile application.
These developments aim to bring consistency to a sector of the food industry that has long struggled with ambiguous definitions. The WISEcode platform currently analyses more than 840,000 packaged food products across 15,000 attributes, making it one of the most robust food intelligence systems available for manufacturers and retailers.
Standardising the Definition of Ultra-Processed Food
At the centre of these launches is the WISEcode UPF™ Standard. While public and regulatory discussions regarding ultra-processed foods often rely on broad categories, this new framework evaluates products based on specific ingredient-level data. The standard considers the degree of refinement, added sugar contributions, and the presence of industrial additives often associated with heavy processing.
The framework classifies products across five distinct levels:
Minimal
Light
Moderate
Ultra
Super-Ultra Processed
Peter Castleman, Founder and CEO of WISEcode, noted that the standard was built to provide the consistency that brands require and the clarity that consumers demand in a shifting regulatory environment.
The Non-UPF Shield as a Pathway for Brand Transparency
The Non-UPF Shield™ serves as a verification mark for brands that meet the company’s non-ultra-processed thresholds. Unlike traditional certification programs that may rely on manual audits and extensive paperwork, this verification is powered by an automated system and a pre-built scientific ingredient database.
This technology allows for a faster and more transparent review process. Beyond the label itself, the program offers strategic value for Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) companies:
Reformulation Support: When a product exceeds UPF thresholds, the platform identifies the specific ingredients or processing techniques responsible.
Portfolio Assessment: WISEcode works with partners to evaluate entire product lines, providing structured reports that outline pathways toward Non-UPF qualification.
Benchmarking Insights: Brands gain access to data regarding how their products compare to industry competitors within the processing hierarchy.
Initial participants in the verification program include Blue Zones Kitchen and OKO, with enrollment now open to broader industry partners.
Consumer Visibility and the Redesigned UPF Detector App
To complement the B2B verification program, WISEcode has redesigned its mobile app experience to place processing classifications at the forefront of the consumer journey. The app allows shoppers to scan products and receive an immediate determination of whether a product is ultra-processed under the WISEcode Standard.
The application translates complex ingredient lists into plain language, helping users understand not only what is in their food but how it was manufactured. Products that have successfully achieved the Non-UPF Shield™ verification are highlighted with a badge within the app, providing verified brands with direct visibility at the point of purchase.
Building Infrastructure for Food Transparency
As the food industry reaches what leadership describes as a "tipping point," WISEcode is positioning its technology as the necessary infrastructure for the next era of transparency. By translating processing classifications into practical, scalable data, the company aims to support both regulatory compliance and consumer trust.
According to Dr. Richard Black, Chief Scientific Officer at WISEcode, the primary goal is to make food processing visible and understandable in a matter of seconds, providing a objective baseline for a rapidly evolving market.
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