@gfrp-unc.bsky.social
Through collaborative research with partners worldwide, we work to reduce diet-related disparities and create a more healthful food system and environment. https://www.globalfoodresearchprogram.org
We are excited to announce a call for letters of intent for the new Research for Innovative Food Policy Fund! 🏆
We’re looking for bold, next-stage food policy ideas that move five steps ahead of what’s currently on the table.
Learn more:
tinyurl.com/34d4kmdj
#FoodPolicy #NutritionResearch
What do South African teens think about the food in their schools? In a new study, students report unhealthy ultra-processed foods are rampant & healthy options scarce. Some proposed banning unhealthy foods in schools + providing affordable, filling, healthy options.
Read here: www.mdpi.com/3719240
A new Chilean study suggests that when calorie warnings and environmental labels appear together on food packages, they may interact in unexpected ways, with implications for coherent front-of-package policy.
🔗 Check out the full study: tinyurl.com/fbswsprd
New study from Alexandra Ross and @shuwenng.bsky.social found that pandemic-era SNAP benefit increases were associated with:
🥦 Higher purchases of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes
🥤 Lower purchases of sugar-sweetened beverages
🔗https://tinyurl.com/28pkuj2t
Applications are open for FERN 2026! The Fellowship for Exploring Research in Nutrition (FERN) is a 9-week paid summer fellowship for undergraduate students interested in food & nutrition policy research. No previous research experience required!
www.globalfoodresearchprogram.org/home/idea/fe...
“When my daughter bought Doritos in the lunch line in kindergarten, she was thrilled...I was shocked. How is it acceptable that we are giving 5-year-olds such free access to ultraprocessed foods?” — @lindseytaillie.bsky.social explores this in @nytopinion.nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/08/o...
📣 Job alert! We're looking for a research project manager to work on food policy issues ranging in the US and globally. If you’re detail-oriented, love project management, and have a heart for creating better food systems, please learn more and apply here: unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/309...
21.11.2025 17:42 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Ultra-processed foods — what’s the impact?
In a new @thelancet.com Series coauthored by Barry Popkin, experts warn a global rise in UPFs presents a growing public health threat.
Read more about the evidence and policy recommendations ➡️ tinyurl.com/ya2wutpd
#UPFAction #GlobalHealth
There's still time to register for tomorrow's global launch of a landmark three-paper Lancet Series exploring how ultra-processed foods came to dominate what the world eats — and what we can do about it!
Register at the link below. Launch is Wed. Nov. 19, 1:30–3:45 pm EST
#UPFs #ultraprocessedfoods
How did ultra-processed foods come to dominate what the world eats, and what can we do about it?
🌍 Join the global launch of the @thelancet.com Series on UPFs & Human Health where experts will unpack the science, policy & politics.
🔗 Register: www.fsp.usp.br/nupens/launc...
A new study published in Current Developments in Nutrition by Sara Vandersip, @lindseytaillie.bsky.social , @annagrummon.bsky.social, @cprestemon.bsky.social, and Alexandria Reimold found that a quarter of adults waste at least 30% of their food:
cdn.nutrition.org/article/S247...
@lindseytaillie.bsky.social recently joined global leaders at the 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum in New York City to discuss global obesity policy. The forum brought together experts from various sectors to collaborate on the world’s most pressing challenges 🌍
17.10.2025 14:45 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Ready to take the next step in your research career? 📚🌍 Learn, collaborate, and drive change in food systems and policy.
📅Note: The webinar date has changed!
Join us for an interactive session, now on Thursday, November 13, 2025: unc.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Details in the flyer ⬇️
Ready to take the next step in your research career? 📚🌍 Learn, collaborate, and drive change in food systems and policy. @uncpublichealth.bsky.social
Join us for an interactive webinar on Thursday, November 6, 2025: unc.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Student Spotlight: Meet Cristina Lee, MPH — Our new doctoral student joining the GFRP team this fall under the advisorship of Shu Wen Ng. Cristina is excited to advance research that informs equitable food policies & supports healthier communities. @uncpublichealth.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/2nu8cb7w
Headshot of Marissa Hall with text reading, "Marissa Hall, PhD 2025 Hettleman Prize award winner"
Congratulations to Marissa Hall, 2025 recipient of the Hettleman Prize! This is awarded to 5 UNC faculty exemplifying innovative research & future career promise. Marissa's work focuses on how front-of-package labeling, marketing, and availability shape consumer choices. Read more: go.unc.edu/w4TXr
13.06.2025 14:16 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Headshot of Shu Wen Ng with text reading "UNC Research is...improving access to fruits and vegetables"
Photo of a brown grocery bag on its side spilling out fresh fruits and vegetables. The bag has an "Rx&" symbol on it. Below a text caption reads: "At the Global Food Research Program, a research project of the Carolina Population Center, Shu Wen Ng and colleagues are studying how produce prescription programs can make fruits and vegetables more affordable and accessible for low-income North Carolina households." At the bottom is text reading, "#UNCResearchisNC"
Decorative text reading, "#UNCResearchisNC" above a text caption reading: "Recently, Dr. Ng and colleagues studied the Healthy Helping program that provided North Carolinians facing food insecurity with $40 a month to spend on fruits and vegetables during the COVID-19 pandemic. They found that participants doubled their purchases of healthy fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes." Below is a photo of a woman reaching for mushrooms from a grocery display of fresh produce.
Photo of a doctor writing notes in one hand and holding an apple in the other. Patients hands can be viewed, suggesting a conversation taking place. Below a text caption reads: "Now Dr. Ng and colleagues from the UNC School of Medicine, Duke University, and Reinvestment Partners are evaluating the impact of the RPRx produce prescription program, which provides North Carolinians given a produce prescription by their medical provider with money on a grocery store loyalty card to spend on fruits or vegetables at a NC supermarket chain. They are studying what people purchase and how their health changes after participating in the program." At the bottom is text reading, "#UNCResearchisNC"
UNC Research is improving access to fruits and vegetables.
Shu Wen Ng & colleagues study how produce prescription programs make fruits & vegetables more accessible for low-income NC households. Read more here: go.unc.edu/d3F7N
Learn about UNC's research impact: go.unc.edu/Kn53X
#UNCResearchisNC
New study finds that 48% of foods & 38% of drinks purchased by US households in 2020 were ultra-processed. Categories with the highest proportion: carbonated soft drinks (90% of purchases were ultra-processed), mixed dishes & soups (81%) and sweets & snacks (71%).
Read more here: go.unc.edu/k4JPt
New(ish) year, new taxes! We’ve updated our global sweetened beverage and food tax maps with 7 newly implemented or planned taxes in Slovakia, Brazil, Indonesia, Italy, Mongolia, Barbados, and Santa Cruz, CA. Learn more: www.globalfoodresearchprogram.org/resource/tax...
27.03.2025 20:48 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
New study examines the impact of Mexico’s front-of-package warning-label policy on the reformulation of packaged foods and non-alcoholic beverages. Findings revealed significant reductions in warning labels & the energy & critical nutrient content of the products. journals.plos.org/plosmedicine...
20.03.2025 21:02 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Freshly updated: fact sheet on school food environment policies! Includes info. on 5 key school nutrition policy interventions, real-world examples & industry tactics that undermine school nutrition policies. go.unc.edu/Db25R
#SchoolFood #SchoolMeals #SchoolNutrition #CompetitiveFoods #FoodMarketing
Comment by Barry Popkin, @shuwenng.bsky.social, & @lindseytaillie.bsky.social in @naturefood.bsky.social on how ultra-processed products exploit our biology & lead to increased disease + environmental harm, accelerating most rapidly in low- and middle-income countries.
www.nature.com/articles/s43...
How did ultra-processed foods capture the baby and toddler market? @lindseytaillie.bsky.social quoted in @statnews.com on sugar-laden toddler milks, snack foods, issues of food prep time and affordability, and policy solutions: click.mc.unc.edu?qs=1300c1912...
27.02.2025 18:14 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 1
The kids are not alright: New paper from Barry Popkin & @alaar.bsky.social outlines an urgent need for policies to address rapid global increases in ultra-processed food intake among infants and toddlers & the concurrent rise in overweight/obesity. Read here: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
27.02.2025 16:23 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
New study by @natirebolledo.bsky.social et al. evaluates product reformulation after 3 phases of Chile's front-of-package label law, finds % of foods requiring nutrient warning labels dropped from 71% before the law to 53% once fully implemented.
www.globalfoodresearchprogram.org/nutrient-war...
Only one week left for undergraduate students to apply for FERN 2025! The application for summer 2025 fellowships closes Sunday, February 2 at 11:55 p.m. ET.
26.01.2025 18:09 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
A new article published in the Journal of the American Dental Association explores the rising consumption of ultra-processed foods & their impact on oral health. UPFs have been linked to an increase in dental caries & to disrupting jaw muscle development.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Check out our freshly updated front-of-package labeling policy fact sheet! Includes info. on why labels are needed, evidence for different label types, and key considerations for developing and implementing an effective FOP labeling policy. #FOPL
www.globalfoodresearchprogram.org/resource/fop...
Red dye, seed oils, and corn syrup, oh my!
Catch @lindseytaillie.bsky.social at the Carolina Science Cafe at Haw River Tap & Table in Carrboro on Tues. Jan. 7, 6–7pm. She'll discuss the science behind recent flashy nutrition headlines & more. Plus, free food! moreheadplanetarium.org/calendar/car...
New study: Researchers from the University of Western Cape & @uncpublichealth.bsky.social found that 89% of snacks in Cape Town supermarkets were high in sugar, saturated fat, or sodium, dominated shelves, & were aggressively marketed to consumers through prominent placements.
tinyurl.com/2u4sek8h