Ultra-processed foods (UPF) are associated with harmful effects on all major organs of the human body and pose a major threat to global health, as shown by the largest study conducted globally.
Ultra-processed foods rapidly replace fresh foods in the diets of children and adults on every continent and are associated with an increased risk of numerous conditions, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and depression, according to the study cited by The Guardian.
The sharp increase in UPF consumption worldwide is driven by corporations aiming for profit, using a range of aggressive tactics to stimulate consumption, influence scientific debates, and hinder regulation, the analysis suggests.
The conclusions, stemming from a series of three papers published in The Lancet, come at a time when millions of people are consuming more and more ultra-processed foods, such as ready meals, protein bars, sugary drinks, and fast food.
In the United Kingdom and the USA, over half of the average diet now consists of UPF. For some, especially younger, poorer, or disadvantaged individuals, a diet containing up to 80% ultra-processed foods is typical.
Evidence analyzed by 43 of the world's leading experts suggests that diets high in UPF are associated with overeating, poor nutritional quality, and greater exposure to harmful chemicals and additives.
A systematic analysis of 104 long-term studies conducted for this series of papers found that 92 of them reported an increased risk associated with one or more chronic diseases and premature death from any cause.
"Humans are not biologically adapted to consume them"
One of the authors of the papers published in The Lancet, Carlos Monteiro, a professor of public health nutrition at the University of São Paulo, stated that the findings underscore the urgent need for action to combat UPF.
"The first paper in this Lancet series indicates that ultra-processed foods affect every major organ system in the human body. The evidence strongly suggests that humans are not biologically adapted to consume them," Monteiro said.
He and his colleagues in Brazil developed the Nova classification system for foods. It groups them based on the level of processing, ranging from one – unprocessed or minimally processed foods, such as whole fruits and vegetables – to four: ultra-processed.
This category consists of products that have been industrially manufactured, often using artificial flavors, emulsifiers, and colorants. These include soft drinks and packaged snacks and tend to be extremely tasty and calorie-dense but low in nutrients.
They are also designed and marketed to replace fresh foods and traditional meals, while maximizing corporate profits, Monteiro said.
Critics challenge the studies
Critics argue, however, that UPF is a poorly defined category, and existing health policies, such as those targeting the reduction of sugar and salt consumption, are sufficient to address this threat.
Monteiro and the study's co-authors acknowledged valid scientific criticisms of Nova and UPF – such as the lack of long-term clinical and community studies, an emerging understanding of mechanisms, and the existence of subgroups with different nutritional values.
However, they argued that future research should not delay immediate actions to combat the scourge represented by UPF, which they say is justified by current evidence.
"The increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods is reshaping diets globally, replacing fresh and minimally processed foods and meals," Monteiro warned.
The second document in the series proposes regulatory policies and reductions in the production, marketing, and consumption of UPF. Although some countries have introduced rules for reformulating foods and controlling UPF, "the global public health response is still in its early stages, similar to where the tobacco control movement was decades ago," the document states.
Corporations seek profit
According to the third study, the rise in the consumption of these foods is driven by global corporations, not individual choices. UPF is a major cause of the "chronic disease pandemic" related to diet, with food companies prioritizing profit above all else, the authors said.
The main obstacle to protecting health is the "political activities of corporations, coordinated transnationally through a global network of front groups, multi-stakeholder initiatives, and research partners, to counter opposition and block regulation."
One of the series' co-authors, Professor Barry Popkin from the University of North Carolina, stated: "We call for the inclusion of ingredients that mark ultra-processed foods on front-of-package labels, along with excess saturated fats, sugar, and salt, to prevent substitution with unhealthy ingredients and enable more effective regulation."
They also proposed stronger marketing restrictions, especially for ads targeting children, as well as banning UPF in public places such as schools and hospitals.
A success story is Brazil's national school feeding program, which has eliminated most ultra-processed foods and will require that 90% of foods be fresh or minimally processed by 2026.