Research Shows Ultra-Processed Foods Could Negatively Impact Systems Across the Body
As a judge considers whether to revive a landmark lawsuit regarding the health impacts of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), more evidence has emerged about their potentially dire effects.
A three-part series of papers published in The Lancet, a peer-reviewed medical journal, links UPFs to harm in every major organ system in the body.
“The growing consumption of ultra-processed foods is reshaping diets worldwide, displacing fresh and minimally processed foods and meals,” Carlos Monteiro, a professor of public health nutrition at the University of São Paulo and an author of the papers, told the Guardian.
UPFs are heavily processed consumer food items like prepackaged chips, snacks and processed meats. According to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, more than half of the average calories consumed by Americans now come from UPFs.
Emerging research ties the consumption of these products to serious health issues, particularly as they replace healthier and more nutritious foods in Americans’ diets.
A 2024 study published in the BMJ found that consumption of UPFs was associated with a higher risk of premature death.
Judge to Consider Revival of Key Ultra-Processed Foods Lawsuit
The growing evidence of the health impacts of UPFs has led to legal action against some companies that make and sell these products.
A landmark lawsuit was filed in 2024 against companies like Kraft Heinz, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. The case involved a plaintiff who was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease at 16 years old after consuming UPFs.
The judge overseeing that case went on to dismiss it earlier this year, noting in part that the lawsuit didn’t clearly identify what specific products the plaintiff consumed that could have led to the stated health issues.
The judge did note, however, that she was “deeply concerned about the practices used to create and market UPFs, and the deleterious effect UPFs have on children and the American diet.”
Now, an effort is underway to reinstate that lawsuit. The plaintiff has since filed a new version of the case that contains information on what products he ate, how often and when.
Lawyers also continue to investigate other potential lawsuits for people who say they developed serious health issues after consuming UPFs.
