Nova groups for food processing The NOVA classification system classifies the products into 4 large groups depending on their degree of processing the food, and not on their nutritional quality (unlike the Nutriscore). It is a great system for easily recognising ultra-processed foodstuffs. The NOVA groups are: Group 1 => Unprocessed or minimally processed foods. Group 2 => Processed culinary ingredients. Group 3 => Processed foods. Group 4 => Ultra-processed food and drink products. Not all processed nutriments are bad for health, but there are serious doubts about the harmful effects on health.