Ultra-Processed Foods Are Fueling a Global Health Crisis, Experts Warn
Ultra-processed food harms nearly every major organ of the human body. A large review in the Lancet reports this. It brings together 104 long-term studies. Ninety-two show higher risk of chronic disease and early death. The findings point to a global health threat.
Researchers say many people now eat large amounts of industrial food products. These include soft drinks, ready meals, packaged snacks, cereals, fast food and protein bars. These products are high in calories and low in nutrients. They contain additives, emulsifiers, and artificial flavours. They replace fresh food and traditional meals.
UPF intake has grown sharply worldwide. In the UK and US, more than half of the average diet comes from UPF. In some groups, such as younger and poorer people, UPF can reach 80% of daily intake.
The review is written by 43 international experts. They say diets high in UPF are linked to weight gain, type 2 diabetes, depression, heart disease and many other conditions. They argue humans are not biologically adapted to eat these products.
Prof Carlos Monteiro of the University of São Paulo played a key role. His team created the Nova system, which sorts food by how much it is processed. Level one includes unprocessed or minimally processed items such as whole fruits and vegetables. Level four covers ultra-processed products. These are heavily manufactured and designed to be tasty, cheap to make and profitable.
Monteiro says large food corporations drive consumption. He states that companies push UPF through marketing, political influence, and pressure on regulation. The papers compare the situation to the early days of tobacco control. Regulation of UPF is still limited. Some countries have rules on salt and sugar, but wider action remains rare.
The second Lancet paper offers policy steps. These include front-of-pack labels highlighting markers of ultra processing. The authors propose stronger marketing rules, including limits on ads aimed at children. They also suggest removing UPF from schools and hospitals and limiting shelf space in supermarkets.
A case study from Brazil shows progress. The national school food programme removes most UPF. By 2026, ninety percent of food served will come from fresh or minimally processed sources.
Some researchers say more work is needed. They warn that links between UPF and disease show association, not proven cause. But Monteiro and his team argue that action should not wait. They believe current evidence is strong enough for governments to act.
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