A new study in The Lancet found some shocking health risks associated with UPF. These products are the only things known to actually destroy every major organ system in humans. The series was written by leading researchers, including Brazil’s Prof. Carlos Monteiro, University of São Paulo, and Prof. Barry Popkin, University of North Carolina. It underscores the frightening connection between a diet heavy on ultra-processed foods (UPF) and obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and depression.
According to the findings, more than half of the average diets in the UK and the US consist of ultra-processed foods. This dietary transition has been driven by much more than personal choices alone. Global corporations are at fault by continuing to prioritize profit over public health. The authors contend that these multinational corporations engage in these practices through aggressive marketing tactics and political lobbying. Their real objective is to undermine successful public health measures that encourage people to eat healthier.
Led by Prof. Popkin, with his colleagues in Brazil, they developed the Nova classification system. Her NOVA classification system sorts foods by the level of processing. Examples of UPF products are convenience meals, breakfast cereals, protein bars, carbonated beverages, and food from fast food restaurants. The study reveals that diets composed of as much as 80% UPF are common, especially among younger individuals, those from low-income backgrounds, and people living in disadvantaged areas.
The first paper in this Lancet series indicates that ultra-processed foods harm every major organ system in the human body. The preventive health evidence overwhelmingly points to the idea that humans are not biologically meant to eat large quantities of them,” noted Prof. Monteiro.
Our systematic review only found 104 long-term studies to analyze. Of these, 92 found a clear link between high intake of UPF and greater risk for chronic diseases and premature death. The proliferation of UPF is rapidly displacing fresh and minimally processed foods from eating patterns across the globe. This dramatic change is having profound consequences for children and adults on every continent.
“Prof. Popkin calls for strong regulatory action to curb the upsurge of UPF consumption. “We call for including ingredients that are markers of UPFs in front-of-package labels, alongside excessive saturated fat, sugar, and salt, to prevent unhealthy ingredient substitutions, and enable more effective regulation,” he noted.
In Brazil, a more positive example is taking form with their national school food program. By 2026, this ambitious initiative seeks to remove the majority of UPF, committing that 90% of foods served will be fresh or minimally processed. This new initiative is a good example that can be looked to by other nations wrestling with the same dietary issues.
Several nations have enacted policies to reformulate food products and limit the manufacture and promotion of ultra-processed foods (UPF). Though public health response worldwide continues to lag behind. As Prof. Monteiro pointed out, “the growing consumption of ultra-processed foods is reshaping diets worldwide, displacing fresh and minimally processed foods and meals.”
The authors of the Lancet series contend that corporate political activities play a significant role in hindering public health initiatives. They share stories of carefully coordinated efforts by food and beverage companies to fight the opposition and prevent the implementation of critical regulations that protect consumer health.
Retrospectively, they accepted the global public health response as fledgling. It looks a lot like the tobacco control movement 30 years ago.