Ultra-Processed Foods Lawsuit
Those who filed an ultra-processed food lawsuit claim the marketing of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) contributed to chronic diseases in their children, such as Type 2 diabetes and fatty liver. People are suing food companies, including Kraft Heinz, Coca-Cola and Mondelez, for intentionally designing and marketing these addictive foods.
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Why Are People Filing Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs) Lawsuits?
A landmark lawsuit against several major companies claims that highly addictive ultra-processed foods (UPFs) led children to develop Type 2 diabetes or fatty liver disease.
According to Bryce Martinez’s ultra-processed foods lawsuit, companies purposefully designed ultra-processed foods to be addictive and marketed them heavily toward children.
- Contributing to Chronic Disease in Children: Ultra-processed foods have been linked to a rise in Type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in children.
- Marketing Aggressively to Children: Lawsuits say companies targeted children with ultra-processed food marketing campaigns that use popular entertainment characters, cartoons, toys and other strategies.
- Designing UPFs to be Addictive: Food companies used science and combined ingredients and additives to make these foods addictive.
Lawsuits claim the “prevalence of UPF addiction in children is ‘striking and unprecedented.’ Never in American history have so many children been hooked on an addictive substance. And there is a clear reason why: Defendants target children with their harmful UPF.”
What Are Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs)?
According to the NOVA classification system, ultra-processed foods mainly consist of ingredients taken from other foods or manufactured in a factory, with few whole foods included.
- Category 1: Unprocessed or Minimally Processed Foods
- Foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, plain milk or dried beans that are kept as natural as possible without adding ingredients like sugar or salt to make them last longer or easier to cook.
- Category 2: Processed Culinary Ingredients
- Some ingredients, such as salt, sugar and vegetable oils, come from natural foods. They are commonly used in cooking and for adding flavor to dishes, but people usually don't eat them on their own.
- Category 3: Processed Foods
- Foods that have extra ingredients, like salt, sugar or oil, added to them to taste better or last longer. Examples include canned vegetables, cheese and bread. These foods typically have two or three ingredients.
- Category 4: Ultra-Processed Foods
- Ultra-processed food products usually contain five or more ingredients, often with extra flavoring or preservatives. These include packaged snacks, soft drinks and ready-to-eat meals. They are created for convenience and to taste good
The NOVA system was designed in 2009 by researchers at the University of São Paulo in Brazil. It divides foods into four categories based on how much processing they’ve undergone. It’s widely used by researchers, public health professionals and government policymakers. However, it is not recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Examples of Ultra-Processed Foods
Ultra-processed foods include cereals, sodas, sweet and salty packaged snacks and more. They typically include ingredients not found in home cooking, like high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils and modified proteins. UPFs often contain additives such as artificial flavors, colors and emulsifiers to enhance taste and appearance.
- Canned, packaged, dehydrated and other instant soups
- Cola, soda and other carbonated soft drinks
- Energy and sports drinks
- Fatty, sweet, savory or salty packaged snacks
- Ice creams and frozen desserts
- Infant formulas and drinks
- Margarines and spreads
- Meal replacement shakes such as Slim Fast
- Packaged meat, fish, vegetables, breads and buns
- Sweetened juices
How Bad Are Ultra-Processed Foods?
Ultra-processed foods are linked to serious health risks, including higher rates of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and dementia. They make up 57% of adult diets and 67% of children’s calories, contributing to obesity and overconsumption due to their calorie density and lack of nutrients. The effects can be even worse for people experiencing food insecurity because of limited access to affordable, healthy foods.
Increased Risk of Chronic or Severe Diseases
A 2024 report in The British Medical Journal found more than 30 health conditions associated with consuming ultra-processed foods. It also found that eating or drinking UPFs increased the risk of dying from any cause.
- Breast cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
- Colorectal cancer
- Hypertension
- Mental health issues
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- Obesity
- Type II diabetes
Another study published in BMJ tracked more than 114,000 participants and found that people who consumed a lot of processed meats, sugary cereals and sweetened drinks were more likely to die prematurely.
- Participants who ate seven or more ultra-processed food servings daily had a slightly increased risk of early death.
- High consumption raised neurodegenerative disease death risk by 8%, but not cancer or heart disease.
- Processed meats, white bread, sugary cereals, chips and diet sodas had the biggest influence on overall health and mortality.
Effects on Mental Health
Eating a lot of ultra-processed foods has been associated with problems like depression, memory loss and mental health problems. They may upset the balance of important chemicals in the brain, harm the good bacteria in our gut and interfere with how our brain feels pleasure. All of this can lead to worse mental well-being.
- In a 2023 study by Harvard researchers, published in JAMA Open Network, researchers found that eating nine or more UPF servings daily increases depression risk by 50% — compared to those who got by on four or fewer servings.
- The same study found artificial sweeteners alone raise depression risk by 26% among the top fifth of consumers.
- A study from 2022 published in JAMA Neurology looked at 10,755 people aged 35 to 74 who did not have dementia. It found that middle-aged people who ate the most ultra-processed foods (UPFs) experienced a 28% faster rate of cognitive decline than those who ate the least.
While study authors report more research is needed, reducing ultra-processed foods may help protect your mental health and support better cognitive function.
Impact on Children
Ultra-processed foods can harm children’s growth, learning and overall health.
These types of foods are connected to higher rates of obesity, increased body fat and risks related to heart and metabolic health, even among children, according to a 2024 study in JAMA Network.
They can even affect the weight of babies — due to added sugar in baby food. According to the American Journal of Managed Care, babies today weigh nearly a half pound more than they did in 25 years ago.
A 2023 study published in Frontiers of Nutrition discovered that regularly eating candy, sweet baked goods and many other highly processed foods could lower children’s verbal skills between the ages of four and seven. The authors suggest that UPF diets have a negative effect on how well kids think and communicate.
Researchers and doctors agree that reducing ultra-processed food consumption early can promote healthier habits and better lifelong outcomes.
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