experts Warn Ultra-Processed Foods Threaten Global Health, Economies in New Review
Sydney, Australia – A sweeping new review of research published today warns that ultra-processed foods are rapidly displacing traditional diets worldwide, posing significant threats to public health, economies, cultural practices, and the habitat. Leading researchers are calling for immediate, coordinated global policy interventions to curb the rising dominance of these foods, which include items like sugary drinks, packaged snacks, and processed meats.
The landmark analysis,published by experts from the University of Sydney,Universidad de Chile,Universidade de São Paulo,The University of Melbourne,and deakin University,argues that the proliferation of ultra-processed foods isn’t a matter of individual willpower,but a systemic issue driven by powerful commercial interests. Without decisive action, the researchers predict a continued increase in the consumption of these foods, leading to escalating rates of obesity, diet-related diseases, and broader societal harms.
“Our papers show that without policy action and a coordinated global response,ultra-processed foods will continue to rise in human diets,harming health,economies,culture and planet,” said Phillip Baker,ARC Future Fellow and Sydney Horizon Fellow at the University of Sydney.
The review highlights how ultra-processed foods – formulations made mostly or entirely from industrial ingredients – are engineered to be hyper-palatable and aggressively marketed, frequently enough at the expense of healthier, traditional food systems. This displacement impacts not only individual well-being but also agricultural diversity, local economies, and cultural food traditions. Researchers point to the need for policies that address the underlying drivers of ultra-processed food consumption, including restrictions on marketing, reformulation of products, and support for lasting food systems.
The authors – Phillip Baker, Camila Corvalan, Carlos Monteiro, Gyorgy Scrinis, and Priscila Machado – emphasize the urgency of the situation, stating, “The time to act is now.”
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.Read the original article here.
