The mounting scientific evidence is unmistakable: diets high in ultra-processed foods (UPFs) strongly correlate with an increased risk of deadly health problems. These include heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and specific cancers. Yet, for many years, the food and beverage industry has resisted meaningful change. Major companies like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Mondelēz have led a legal effort targeting governments. They attempt to thwart public health initiatives aimed at reducing the harm caused by these foods.
A new report from the investigative group Lighthouse Reports reveals the scale of this strategy. Since 2010, food and drink companies and their lobbyists have filed over 235 lawsuits against governments worldwide. By using the courts to challenge public health policies, these legal actions have effectively slowed progress on vital health reforms.
Legal Challenges to Health Regulations
The total legal effort spans 595 years of litigation. The report traces the number of cases and the time spent resolving them. More than a third of these lawsuits were initiated by leading global brands. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), has strongly condemned this approach. He described it as a calculated tactic to weaken public health measures tackling obesity and poor nutrition. Ghebreyesus noted that these legal tactics have drained government budgets. This is true for both healthcare and legal costs. They also create a chilling effect that discourages governments from enacting essential public health protections.
The foundation of the ultra-processed food industry rests on the use of low-cost commodity crops such as corn, soya, and sugar cane. These crops are produced in large quantities, often more than needed, thanks to strong political support and influential farming lobbies.
Once harvested, these crops are processed into oils, proteins, sugars, and starches. In the process, most of their natural fiber and nutrients are stripped away. The resulting base ingredients are then reconstituted with flavoring, coloring, and texture-enhancing additives. While this makes the products profitable for manufacturers, it also leads to foods with minimal nutritional value.
Government Support for Ultra-Processed Food Production
The production system is bolstered by government policies such as farm subsidies and geopolitical strategies. The 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed during Donald Trump’s presidency, increased financial support for farmers. This ensures a steady flow of inexpensive raw materials for the food industry. These subsidies allow farmers to produce large surplus quantities. This keeps the price of these commodity crops low. This low-cost system is central to the economic model of UPFs. It enables the industry to maximize its margins. It also allows them to produce food products that are highly profitable but nutritionally poor.
As awareness of the dangers of UPFs grows, the industry faces increasing public scrutiny. The introduction of anti-obesity drugs such as GLP-1 has started to change consumer behavior. Those taking these medications often find their appetites decrease, leading to a reduction in UPF purchases. In response, some retailers are now promoting "nutrient-dense" meals, typically at a premium price.
Public Health Pushback and Industry Resistance
Public health experts argue that the only viable solution is a significant reduction in the consumption of UPFs. However, the food industry is using legal, financial, and political tools to block governments from implementing effective regulations. This resistance is contributing to a public health crisis that threatens to overwhelm state health services.
The situation is reminiscent of the strategies used by the tobacco and fossil fuel industries. Just as those sectors once denied the health risks of their products, the food industry is fighting to protect its profits despite the growing body of evidence. If governments fail to act decisively, the consequences could be dire, with rising costs for both human lives and economic systems.