Trapped by ultra-processed foods: experts warn that they already account for a third of the calories we consume every day

BarcelonaSugary drinks, pastries, and ready-made meals fill store shelves, competing with each other with the most eye-catching offers. The availability of ultra-processed food is overwhelming, and many people still choose it without being aware of the potential health risks. In Spain, it is estimated that consumption has tripled in three decades, rising from 11% of daily calories to 32%. In Mexico, this percentage has increased from 10% to 23% in forty years, and in the United Kingdom, which started from higher figures, it has reached 50%. These are the results of a three-part study published in the journal The Lancet, which suggests that ultra-processed foods are displacing fresh foods.

"It is necessary to promote policies that favor the consumption of minimally processed foods to follow a dietary pattern based on the Mediterranean diet," says Maira Bes-Rastrollo, professor of preventive medicine and public health at the University of Navarra and one of the 43 experts on the report. This report warns that the global increase in ultra-processed foods represents a major threat to public health and that responding to them cannot rely solely on consumer behavior.

The experts warn that the involvement of governments is necessary to defend "healthy, fair, and sustainable" food systems in the face of corporate ambition, and that political coordination is needed to reduce the production, marketing, and consumption of these products. Ultra-processed foods are industrial products with an excess of sugar and fats and a deficiency of fiber and protein. They are made with cheap ingredients such as hydrogenated oils or glucose syrups, and additives like flavorings and sweeteners.

Actual labels and specific taxes

The first study, based on a review of 104 research projects, found significant associations between consumption and up to twelve diseases, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression, premature death, and alterations in the gut microbiota, among others. But these foods are not only harmful to humans, but also to the planet: their production relies heavily on fossil fuels, and plastic packaging is ubiquitous. Only with limits, experts insist, will it be possible to improve access to healthy food.

In the second article, experts describe the policies needed to regulate and reduce the production, marketing, and consumption of ultra-processed foods, starting by holding large corporations accountable for their role in promoting unhealthy diets. A handful of manufacturers dominate the market, such as Nestlé, PepsiCo, Unilever, and Coca-Cola. "All ingredients in ultra-processed foods must be listed on front-of-package labels to allow for more effective regulation," says University of North Carolina professor Barry Popkin.

The authors also propose stronger marketing restrictions, particularly on advertisements targeting children and teenagers, as well as banning ultra-processed foods in schools and hospitals and placing limits on supermarkets. They further advise taxing them to fund fresh food for low-income households. The editorial of The Lancet It argues that consumption tends to be higher among those experiencing economic hardship, and that efforts to abandon diets high in ultra-processed foods should not exacerbate inequalities.

Industry Influence

The third article argues that it is necessary to put an end to widespread practices, such as aggressive marketing and attractive designs used by industries to boost consumption, which have been found to block regulations, shape scientific debates, and influence public opinion. "They coordinate hundreds of interest groups worldwide, lobby politicians, donate to political parties, and engage in litigation to delay policies," they contend.