Experts Warn: Ultra-Processed Foods Pose a Serious Threat to Public Health

A new series of research papers written by 43 scientists and published in The Lancet medical journal reveals that ultra-processed foods represent a major threat to public health and require urgent action.

The researchers — including Brazilian scientist Carlos Monteiro, who coined the term with his colleagues nearly 15 years ago — explain that ultra-processed foods have become increasingly common worldwide and are linked to declining diet quality and several diseases, ranging from obesity to cancer.

Carlos Monteiro, a professor at the University of São Paulo, said during an online media briefing:

“Based on the evidence we have today about ultra-processed foods and human health, it is clear that global public action is justified.”

Ultra-processed foods are defined as products made using industrial processing techniques, additives, and synthetic ingredients, typically containing little to no whole foods. Examples include soft drinks and instant noodles.

The researchers note that, although the term “ultra-processed foods” has been widely used in recent years, some scientists and members of the food industry consider it too simplistic, arguing that the debate around it has become somewhat “politicized.”

The authors acknowledge these criticisms in The Lancet, emphasizing the need for more evidence to understand why and how ultra-processed foods harm health, and to differentiate between products with varying nutritional profiles within this category. However, they stress that the current evidence is strong enough for governments to take action.

A systematic review of 104 long-term studies conducted as part of this research series found that 92 of them reported an increased risk of one or more chronic diseases associated with dietary patterns involving ultra-processed foods. Twelve health conditions showed particularly strong links, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, and depression.

The researchers conclude that “the primary driver behind the global rise in ultra-processed foods is the economic and political power of the ultra-processed food sector, which restructures food systems with profitability as the main priority.”