Overview
- The series synthesizes evidence tying high ultra-processed food intake to increased risks across multiple organ systems, with UPFs displacing whole foods worldwide.
- UPFs now exceed half of average daily calories in the United States and United Kingdom, with rapid growth reported in countries such as Spain, Mexico, Brazil and China.
- Clinical trials reviewed found people consumed roughly 500 to 800 additional calories per day on ultra-processed diets, supporting concerns about overeating and poor diet quality.
- Authors propose front-of-pack UPF markers, tighter marketing limits especially to children, taxes and warning labels, bans in public institutions, and retail shelf-space limits.
- Industry groups and several scientists challenge the breadth of the recommendations and the UPF definition, noting most evidence is observational as calls continue for more trials and mechanistic research.