Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have become fixtures of modern eating, but a new Lancet Series warns they’re causing far more harm than good. Linked to rising rates of obesity, heart disease and other chronic illnesses, these products are driving a global health crisis that shows no signs of slowing down.
What Exactly Are Ultra-Processed Foods?
UPFs are the most heavily altered products in the Nova classification system, typically packed with additives that enhance taste, texture and shelf life. Think sugary drinks, packaged snacks, reconstituted meats, and even some fortified cereals and flavoured yoghurts.
Critics argue the category is too broad, grouping nutritionally mixed products with obvious junk. But experts say the real danger lies in overall dietary patterns, when fresh, whole foods are displaced by industrial formulations.
The Corporate Engine Behind UPFs
At the centre of the UPF explosion are cheap commodity crops such as maize, wheat, soy and palm oil, processed into a vast array of additives by a small group of global giants, including Nestlé, PepsiCo, Unilever and Coca-Cola.
These products are engineered to be hyper-palatable, relentlessly marketed, and eaten repeatedly, crowding out traditional, nutrient-dense meals. In high-income countries, UPFs now account for roughly half of household food intake, and consumption is rising rapidly across low- and middle-income nations.
More Than Just a Health Issue
The impact extends well beyond human health. UPF production relies heavily on fossil fuels, long-distance supply chains and mountains of plastic packaging.
At the same time, the industry’s vast profits bankroll lobbying efforts that hinder regulation and stall public-health interventions.
What Needs to Change
The Lancet Series calls for bold, government-led reforms, including:
- Front-of-pack warning labels on UPFs
- Bans on marketing aimed at children
- Restrictions in schools and public institutions
- Taxes on UPFs to discourage consumption and fund healthier alternatives
Civil society is already pushing back. Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Food Policy Program, for instance, has supported countries across Latin America and Africa in countering corporate influence and securing stronger food policies.
Equity at the Core
Any shift away from UPFs must also address inequality. Low-income households often rely on cheap processed foods, and poorly designed reforms could worsen food insecurity or place disproportionate cooking burdens on women.
Redirecting subsidies toward local producers of fresh, minimally processed foods could help make healthier diets both accessible and affordable.
The Bigger Picture
At its heart, the UPF crisis reflects a food system dominated by transnational corporations that prioritise profit over public health.
The Lancet Series is clear: breaking the industry’s grip will require coordinated global action, stronger regulation and a decisive move toward sustainable, equitable food systems.
