A coalition of leading global health experts has issued a stark warning, declaring that diets overloaded with ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have triggered a 'pandemic of chronic disease'. The call to action, detailed in a series of papers published in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet, urges governments to treat major food corporations with the same seriousness as the tobacco industry.
The Scale of the Problem
Forty-three scientists and researchers from around the world have collaborated on this work, arguing that food companies are 'putting profit above all else'. Their systematic review analysed 104 long-term studies, finding that 92 of them reported greater associated risks of one or more chronic diseases and early death from all causes. The research links UPF consumption to at least 32 different health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and various cancers.
The dietary share of UPFs is a particular concern in Anglo-American diets. While countries like Italy, Cyprus, and Greece keep their UPF consumption below 25%, the figure soars to 50% in both the UK and the US. For some demographics in these nations—especially younger, poorer, or disadvantaged individuals—a diet comprising up to 80% UPF is typical.
Call for Government Intervention
The expert group contends that the global public health response to this crisis is still in its infancy, comparing it to the early days of the tobacco control movement. They have called for decisive policy measures, including:
- Taxing ultra-processed foods.
- Banning advertisements for these products.
- Implementing stricter regulations on food manufacturers.
The authors state that government policy, even in high-income countries like the UK, has so far done little to address the 'commercial and structural determinants of the problem'. They emphasise that while research into the precise effects of UPFs must continue, this should not delay the implementation of policies that promote diets based on whole foods.
Scientific Debate and Counterpoints
Despite the strong warnings, other experts have critiqued the findings, highlighting limitations in the existing evidence. Some argue that the claims are based on 'relatively weak evidence' like observational studies, which can show association but not prove causation.
Dr Jordan Beaumont, a senior lecturer in food and nutrition at Sheffield Hallam University, noted: 'There is little convincing, high-quality evidence that UPFs are inherently unhealthy... We need numerous large-scale and robust randomised controlled trials.' Similarly, Kevin McConway, an emeritus professor of applied statistics at the Open University, agreed that while some UPFs likely increase disease risk, it is not yet established that all do, creating room for further clarification.
This scientific discourse underscores the complexity of the issue. However, the authors in The Lancet maintain that the alarming rise of UPFs in human diets is a leading cause of the diet-related chronic disease pandemic, and that proactive measures are urgently needed to safeguard public health.
