Prevalence, Regional Variation, and Energy Cost of Ultra-Processed Foods Marketed to Children in Türkiye

Background: Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are becoming more common in children’s dietary habits, yet little is known about products marketed specifically to children in Türkiye. This research assessed the frequency, geographic differences, and energy-standardized cost of UPFs targeted at children. Methods: This cross-sectional study identified 340 food and beverage products aimed at children in six Turkish cities with varying regional income levels. We categorized items according to the NOVA framework. The prevalence of UPFs was analyzed by different cities, and the cost per 100 kcal was assessed between UPFs and non-UPFs. Results: Overall, 66.8% of products were classified as UPFs. Prevalence ranged from 53.3% to 83.7% across cities and differed significantly by product category. All milks, confections, and custards were UPFs of childhood. Most fruit and vegetable purees were not UPFs. The main markers of ultra-processing were added sugars, emulsifiers, and flavorants. The median cost for every 100 kcal was lower for UPFs than for non-UPFs (21.45 vs. 67.47 TRY, p < 0.001). After controlling for study city, non-UPFs had 2.87 times higher costs per 100 kcal than UPFs (95% CI: 2.27–3.62), but this association was not significant after further controlling for product category. Conclusions: UPFs were widely available in products marketed to children in Türkiye, with significant variation between product categories and regions. The lower cost per 100 kcal appeared to reflect differences in product composition across categories.