Legal Actions and Claims
A lawsuit filed in the accuses major food companies, including , , and , of designing ultra-processed foods to be addictive to children, leading to chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease.
The lawsuit, described as the first of its kind, alleges conspiracy, negligence, fraudulent misrepresentation, and unfair business practices, seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
Industry and Health Perspectives
Critics argue that ultra-processed foods, rich in additives like salt, sugars, and fats, are linked to a range of health issues, including obesity and cognitive decline, and have become prevalent in American diets since the 1980s.
Industry representatives and some officials contest the classification of foods as unhealthy based solely on processing, citing a lack of scientific consensus on ultra-processed foods and warning against misleading consumers.