Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are becoming a dominant part of diets worldwide, displacing fresh and minimally processed meals and worsening global nutrition, according to a series of new papers published in The Lancet. The researchers warn that the growing dependence on UPFs is contributing significantly to chronic diseases and call for urgent, coordinated international action to curb their production, marketing, and consumption.
The three-paper series, titled Ultra-Processed Foods and Human Health, argues that improving diet quality cannot be left to individual choices alone. Instead, governments must implement strong policies to reduce the influence of global food corporations that aggressively market these products and lobby against public health regulations.
Lead author Carlos Monteiro of the University of São Paulo said the rise of UPFs is “reshaping diets worldwide,” driven by corporations prioritizing profit over public health. He added that extensive marketing campaigns and industry lobbying have stalled the introduction of effective nutrition policies in many countries.
While past public health efforts have largely focused on reducing added fats, sugar, and sodium, the researchers say this approach is too narrow. They advocate expanding strategies to address upstream drivers — such as industrial food production models, aggressive marketing practices, and weak governance around food systems.
Co-author Phillip Baker of the University of Sydney emphasized the need for a global response similar to efforts that targeted the tobacco industry. He said policy spaces must be safeguarded from corporate interference, and stronger coalitions must be built to advocate for equitable and sustainable food systems.
The papers also outline how the UPF industry deploys coordinated political activity across borders through front groups, industry-led initiatives, and selective scientific research — all aimed at weakening regulation. To reverse the trend, researchers call for disrupting the UPF-driven business model, redistributing resources towards healthier food producers, and shielding food governance from corporate influence.
The authors conclude that recognizing UPFs as a major global health threat, alongside strengthening legal, scientific, and communication frameworks, will be critical to driving meaningful policy change.