McCausland, H.C., Gearhardt, A.N., Peralta, J.M. et al. A Critical Evaluation of the Terms Used To Describe Foods Implicated in Addictive-Like Eating. Curr Addict Rep 12, 71 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-025-00689-w
From the conclusion: “In conclusion, while three terms are used to describe foods with higher addictive potential, UPF, specifically hedonically enhanced UPFs, seems to be the most accurate to describe FA. … Next steps should aim to (1) increase interdisciplinary efforts to quantify definitions, (2) make the classification of UPFs more objective, (3) refine the UPF term, and (4) introduce gradient methods to describe the addictive potential of different foods. With these steps, the field can move towards adopting a reliable term to describe FA, creating treatment recommendations for FA, and making policy changes to limit negative health impacts of addictive foods.”