Ultra-processed foods, the "fuel” of the chronic disease pandemic

The expansion of ultra-processed foods (UPF) is fueling a veritable "chronic disease pandemic,” warns an international group of 43 researchers in a study published in the prestigious journal The Lancet. Their conclusion is firm: global food systems have been reshaped to favor the profits of food companies, not the health of the population. The authors of the study emphasize that the rise of UFPs is directly linked to the growth of the economic and political power of the producing companies. In their opinion, these corporations have managed to restructure food chains worldwide, causing the progressive replacement of fresh foods with cheap, accessible and heavily promoted products. "The key factor in the global rise of ultra-processed foods is the growth of the UFP industry's power and the placing of profitability above all else,” the researchers note. The industry is described as a complex ecosystem, made up not only of factories, but also of networks of suppliers, distributors, marketing agencies and lobby groups that simultaneously influence demand and supply.

• A proven risk: obesity, cancer, cardiovascular disease, premature death

Numerous studies have already confirmed the link between high consumption of AUPs and a wide range of serious conditions, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, certain types of cancer and premature mortality. This effect is due both to the unbalanced nutritional content and to the additives used in the manufacturing process. The range of AUPs is extremely varied: from ice cream, cold cuts and chips, to industrial bread, breakfast cereals, convenience foods, biscuits and carbonated drinks. These products are typically high in saturated fat, salt and sugar - elements that replace nutritious foods in the diet. In addition, AUPs often contain ingredients that are impossible to replicate in the home kitchen-emulsifiers, colors, preservatives, and artificial flavors-that contribute to their texture, appearance, and long shelf life, but raise questions about their long-term health impacts. The researchers note that the public health response has been weak and delayed, comparable to the early efforts to regulate the tobacco industry. While some countries have introduced taxes on sugary drinks, warning labels, or advertising restrictions, these measures have been insufficient to counter the scale of the phenomenon. In many countries, public policies have focused on individual consumer responsibility, voluntary partnerships with the industry, or product reformulation-measures considered too mild to change the commercial determinants of the problem. "This policy inertia reflects the coordinated efforts of the AUP industry to distort decision-making and maintain public doubt,” the authors note. The data show major differences across regions. In Italy, Greece, Portugal and Cyprus, UFAs account for less than 25% of the population's diet, while in the United States and the United Kingdom the share exceeds 50%. The explanation lies in culinary tradition, the availability of fresh food and the level of regulation. However, the researchers warn that, in the absence of strong interventions, countries with low consumption will inevitably end up repeating the Western model. Although some of the mechanisms by which UFAs affect health are still under debate, the authors insist that this should not become an excuse for inaction. They advocate the promotion of whole foods and traditional diets with fewer processed products. "The rise of UFAs is not inevitable,” the researchers write. "With the right policies, we can change the course.”

The recommendations include: clear labels on the degree of processing; taxes on products high in sugar, salt and fat; restrictions on marketing to children; stricter rules on food additives; support for local fresh food production; nutrition education programs in schools. The study published in The Lancet represents one of the strongest calls yet for regulation of ultra-processed foods. Amid the rise in global obesity and pressure on health systems, the researchers warn that political inaction is no longer an option. The message is clear: public health must be put before profit.