Ultra-processed foods drive global health crisis, Lancet warns

The global rise of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is fueling a public health crisis, deepening chronic disease burdens, and worsening health inequalities, according to a new Lancet Series on UPFs and Human Health published on November 19.

The report calls for urgent, coordinated action to curb corporate power and transform food systems toward healthier, sustainable diets.

UPFs industrial foods engineered with additives to enhance flavor, texture, or appearance include sugary drinks, ready-to-eat meals, reconstituted meats, and even some fortified cereals and flavored yogurts.

While the categorization of some seemingly nutritious foods as UPFs is debated, researchers emphasise that it is the overall dietary pattern dominated by these foods rather than individual products that drives harm.

High UPF consumption has been linked to obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic conditions.

The series highlights that it is not just individual foods, but the replacement of whole and minimally processed foods with UPFs and the interaction of multiple additives that pose the greatest risk.

In high-income countries, UPFs now make up roughly 50% of household food intake, and their consumption is rapidly growing in low- and middle-income nations. Vulnerable populations often rely on these foods because they are cheap and convenient, raising equity concerns.

The UPF market is dominated by a handful of transnational corporations, including Nestlé, PepsiCo, Unilever, and Coca-Cola. These companies convert cheap commodities such as maize, wheat, soy, and palm oil into hyper-palatable products designed to drive repeated consumption, often displacing traditional, nutrient-rich foods.

The industry’s influence extends beyond consumption patterns. UPF corporations wield massive political and economic power, funding lobbying and marketing campaigns to resist regulation and maintain dominance.

“Corporate interference is a central barrier to protecting public health,” the Lancet Series notes.

The environmental impact is also stark. Industrial UPF production, processing, and transport are fossil-fuel intensive, and single-use plastic packaging is ubiquitous, further threatening planetary health.

Policy recommendations to reverse the trend

The Lancet Series calls for a comprehensive, government-led response to curb UPF consumption including mandatory front-of-pack warning labels to alert consumers to unhealthy products.

It further urged marketing restrictions targeting children, including bans on digital, TV, and social media advertising and limits on UPFs in schools and public institutions.

The report further recommends that taxes on ultra-processed foods, with revenues redirected to support access to minimally processed, nutritious alternatives and a stronger competition policies and regulation to reduce corporate concentration and curb political interference.

Civil society groups have played a critical role in advancing policy adoption, with initiatives like Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Food Policy Program supporting governments in Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa to implement regulations and resist corporate pushback.

Equity and food security considerations

Equity must be central to UPF interventions. Low-income populations are disproportionately affected by UPF consumption, and policies must avoid increasing food insecurity or gender inequities in household food preparation.

The Lancet Series recommends redirecting agricultural subsidies away from large multinational corporations toward smaller, local producers. This would increase access to affordable, minimally processed, and culturally appropriate foods, helping low-income communities transition to healthier diets.

Taxes on UPFs could fund cash transfers or subsidies for healthier foods, mitigating financial burdens on vulnerable households.

The Lancet Series concludes that UPFs reflect a food system increasingly dominated by profit-driven corporations, prioritizing revenue over public health.

Researchers stress that global, coordinated action is needed to address the harmful practices of the UPF industry and promote sustainable, health-promoting food systems.

“Ultra-processed foods are not just a dietary issue—they are a public health and social justice challenge,” the report warns.

“Immediate policy action, supported by strong governance, civil society, and international cooperation, is essential to protect health, promote equity, and safeguard the planet.” the series echoed.

Without decisive intervention, UPF consumption will continue to rise, worsening obesity, chronic diseases, and environmental degradation, particularly in economically vulnerable populations.

The series underscores that transforming global food systems is not optional—it is critical for the health of people and the planet.