Podcast: "Ultra-Processed," "Synthetic": Nonsense Words That Mean Nothing

By Cameron English and ChuckDinerstein — Jul 01, 2026

The body responds to molecules and nutrients—not origin stories or factory steps. Whether a chemical is lab-made or a food industrially processed, biology cares about composition, calories, sugar and fiber, not the production method. Natural isn’t inherently safer, and processing isn’t inherently harmful. These are unpopular facts, but they are facts nonetheless.

Image: ACSH

Join Dr. Chuck Dinerstein and Cam English on the Science Dispatch podcast as they discuss:

The Terms “Ultra-Processed” and “Synthetic” Are Flawed for the Same Reason

The terms “synthetic” and “ultra-processed” are widely (and opportunistically) used as warning labels and marketing strategies. Although they sound scientific, both rely on the same flawed logic: judging substances by how they are made rather than what they actually are. The body responds to molecules and nutrients, not to whether they came from a factory, a farm, a kitchen, or a pinball arcade.

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Cameron English

Executive Vice President

Cameron English is a writer, editor and co-host of the Science Facts and Fallacies Podcast. Before joining ACSH, he was managing editor at the Genetic Literacy Project.