Overview
- A three-paper series by 43 experts says diets high in ultra-processed foods are associated with harm across major organ systems and constitute a major public-health threat.
- The systematic review found 92 of 104 long-term studies reported higher risks, with significant associations for 12 conditions including type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, depression and early death.
- Ultra-processed items now make up more than half of average diets in the US and UK and nearly half in Australia, with rapid multi-decade increases reported in Spain, China, Mexico and Brazil as fresh foods are displaced.
- Recommendations include front-of-pack markers to flag UPF characteristics, strict marketing restrictions to children, targeted taxes, removal from schools and hospitals, and potential limits on supermarket shelf space.
- The authors attribute rising consumption to corporate marketing and political influence and identify industry as the main barrier, while trade groups say the proposals exceed the evidence and independent scientists call for stronger causal research.