Experts: Ultra-Processed Foods Fuel a "Chronic Disease Pandemic"

"The dangers of eating noodles"

For Noodle Lovers: 43 Scientists Warn.. Your Health Is at Risk

A new series of research papers by 43 scientists, published in the medical journal The Lancet, reports that ultra-processed foods pose a significant threat to public health that must be addressed urgently.

The scientists, including Brazilian Carlos Monteiro, who coined the term with his colleagues about 15 years ago, argue that ultra-processed foods are now increasingly common worldwide and are linked to a decline in diet quality and a number of diseases, from obesity to cancer.

"It's about the evidence we have today about... ultra-processed foods and human health... what we know now justifies global public action," said Monteiro, a professor at the University of São Paulo, in an online briefing on Tuesday.

*Processing and Policy

Ultra-processed foods are a category of foods or beverages made using processing technologies, additives, and artificial ingredients, and often contain very little whole food. Examples include soft drinks and instant noodles.

Although the term “ultra-processed foods” has become widely used in recent years, scientists and food industry professionals say the term is overly simplistic and the debate has become increasingly politicized.

The authors of the papers published in The Lancet acknowledge the criticism, stating that more evidence is needed, particularly regarding why and how ultra-processed foods contribute to ill health, as well as the different nutritional values ​​of products within this category. However, they argue that the signal is already strong enough for governments to take action.

In a systematic review of 104 long-term studies conducted for this series, 92 reported increased risks associated with one or more chronic diseases linked to dietary patterns related to ultra-processed foods, and significant associations with 12 health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, and depression.

The researchers stated, "The primary reason behind the global rise of ultra-processed foods is the economic and political power of the ultra-processed food sector, and its restructuring of food systems for profitability above all else." Ultra-processed foods are linked to poor health, including an increased risk of obesity, heart disease, cancer, and premature death.