Global health series - ultra-processed foods and human health

Published: November 18, 2025
Executive summary

This 3-paper Series reviews the evidence about the increase in ultra-processed foods in diets globally and highlights the association with many non-communicable diseases. [...]

Editorial: Ultra-processed foods: time to put health before profit

Addressing this challenge requires a unified global response that confronts corporate power and transforms food systems to promote healthier, more sustainable diets [...]

Series

Ultra-processed foods and human health: the main thesis and the evidence

The totality of the evidence supports the thesis that displacement of long-established dietary patterns by ultra-processed foods is a key driver of the escalating global burden of multiple diet-related chronic diseases.

Policies to halt and reverse the rise in ultra-processed food production, marketing, and consumption

we explore policy options and focus on large-scale food system measures that target areas in greatest need of change, and their potential impacts. We also examine policies to protect, incentivise, and support dietary patterns based on fresh and minimally processed foods, particularly for lower income households

Towards unified global action on ultra-processed foods: understanding commercial determinants, countering corporate power, and mobilising a public health response

This paper, the third in a three-part Lancet Series, takes several steps to advance knowledge of these causes, and to inform a global public health response. First, we show that the UPF industry is a key driver of the problem, as its leading corporations and co-dependent actors have expanded and restructured food systems almost everywhere, in favour of ultra-processed diets. [...] Second, we highlight that the main barrier to advancing policy responses is the industry's corporate political activities [...] Third, we present strategies for reducing the UPF industry's power in food systems and for mobilising a global public health response. [...] A coordinated, well resourced global response is essential—one that confronts corporate power, reclaims public policy space, and restructures food systems to prioritise health, equity, and sustainability over corporate profit.

Comments : Protecting children from ultra-processed foods

global proliferation of UPFs has become one of the most urgent yet inadequately addressed threats to human health in the 21st century. With growing evidence linking UPFs and ultra-processed dietary patterns to child malnutrition and ill health, the question is not whether action is needed, but why so many countries have yet to take meaningful action.

Comments: Global action on ultra-processed foods: a health, equity, and sustainability imperative

Foods that comprise healthy diets, such as fruits, vegetables, and legumes, are becoming increasingly inaccessible for many, whereas food products currently known as ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are inexpensive and widely available globally.

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Free to read with registration. Definition of UPF they use is the NOVA

(Feel free to retag move thx as always)