The Rise of Ultra-Processed Foods: A Global Health Crisis

Ultra-processed foods are rapidly replacing traditional diets worldwide, contributing to a decline in diet quality and a rise in chronic diseases. Despite the significant health implications, the marketing power of companies producing these foods far outweighs the budget of global health organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO). However, governments, communities and health professionals have the capacity to address this growing issue, as outlined in a recent series of articles published in The Lancet.

What are Ultra-Processed Foods?

Ultra-processed foods are manufactured from industrial ingredients and contain few or no intact foods. Common examples include soft drinks, packaged snacks like crisps, and many breakfast cereals. These foods are categorized within the NOVA classification system, which groups foods based on their degree of processing:

• Group 1: Unprocessed or minimally processed foods
• Group 2: Processed culinary ingredients
• Group 3: Processed foods
• Group 4: Ultra-processed foods

Currently, diets high in ultra-processed foods (NOVA Group 4) are increasingly common globally, displacing diets based on foods from NOVA Groups 1-3, which are used in traditional dishes and meals.

The Growing Prevalence of Ultra-Processed Foods

Data indicates a consistent increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods across the globe. In the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, these foods already constitute around 50% of daily energy intake. The University of Sydney is actively researching and addressing these challenges.

Health Risks Associated with Ultra-Processed Diets

Diets rich in ultra-processed foods promote overeating and are often nutritionally poor, containing high levels of sugars, saturated fats, and energy density, although lacking essential fiber, vitamins, and minerals. A systematic review of 104 long-term studies revealed that 92 of them reported an increased risk of one or more chronic diseases, including:

• Obesity
• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Chronic kidney disease
• Crohn’s disease
• Depression
• Premature mortality

Studies show that individuals consuming diets high in ultra-processed foods tend to consume 500-800 additional calories per day, gain weight, and eat more quickly compared to those consuming whole, unprocessed foods with similar macronutrient profiles. This is likely due to the high energy density, palatable taste, and soft texture of these foods, which encourage overconsumption.

Policy Options for Addressing the Issue

Several policy options can be implemented by governments to tackle the rise of ultra-processed foods:

• Product Reformulation: While simply replacing sugar with sweeteners or fat with additives isn’t a solution, governments could set limits on certain additives and leverage markers like artificial colors, flavors, and non-nutritive sweeteners to identify and regulate ultra-processed products.
• Improve the Food Environment: This includes implementing mandatory front-of-package warning labels, protecting children from advertising of these foods (especially online), imposing taxes on sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods (with revenues used to subsidize healthy options), and removing these foods from schools and hospitals.
• Limit Corporate Power: Governments can regulate company product lines, monitor sales of ultra-processed foods, strengthen competition policy, and consider tax reforms to limit the market power of large food corporations.
• Reform Subsidies and Supply Chains: Redirecting agricultural subsidies away from monoculture ingredients used in ultra-processed foods (like corn, soy, and sugar) and aligning environmental policies with nutritional goals is crucial.

The Role of Corporate Influence

The proliferation of ultra-processed foods is driven by the pursuit of profit within a powerful industry. Major multinational food companies utilize extensive marketing, lobbying, and research networks to expand markets, influence public debate, and obstruct regulation. In 2024, advertising spending by major food companies exceeded the entire operating budget of the World Health Organization.

A Call for Global Action

Addressing this crisis requires a coordinated global public health response, including:

• Taxing the production of ultra-processed foods and mandating plastic recycling.
• Redirecting resources to support healthy food producers and families.
• Protecting policymaking and scientific research from corporate interference.
• Forming coalitions to advocate for policy changes.

Without decisive action, the share of ultra-processed foods in the human diet will continue to grow, with detrimental consequences for health, economies, culture, and the planet. It is time for governments and communities to prioritize public health and address the underlying drivers of this global crisis.