Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are ready-to-eat food products. They’re produced using industrial techniques and contain chemically altered substances derived from whole, unprocessed foods. These foods have fewer nutrients because they contain little or even no whole foods. Instead, UPFs contain high amounts of salt, unhealthy fats, and added sugar, which are linked to health risks.
Several big food companies are involved in this lawsuit, including Coca-Cola, Conagra, General Mills, Kellanova, Kraft Heinz, Mars, Mondelez International, Nestle USA, PepsiCo, Post Foods, and W.K. Kellogg. Plaintiffs across the country have sued these companies for designing and marketing UPFs to be addictive to kids, resulting in chronic diseases.
Bryce Martinez, a resident of Pennsylvania, filed the lawsuit in December 2024, alleging that he developed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes when he was 16 after eating ultra-processed foods. To recover compensation for their damages, Martinez and other plaintiffs in the United States are filing consumer lawsuits against food companies. Suppose your child developed type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or childhood obesity. In that case, you may qualify to file a lawsuit against UPF manufacturers to recover financial compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
What Is the Ultra-Processed Food Lawsuit?
The Ultra-Processed Food lawsuit accuses major food companies, such as Mondelez, Kraft Heinz, and Coca-Cola, of deliberately marketing addictive and potentially hazardous foods to children without warning the general public of the associated health risks.
In December 2024, several plaintiffs sued major food companies in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas for allegedly misleading claims about ultra-processed food. Bryce Martinez and other plaintiffs claim they developed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes after eating ultra-processed foods.
In addition, the lawsuit demonstrates how marketing tactics evolved after large Tobacco companies entered the food market in the 1980s. It alleges that when RJ Reynolds and Philip Morris International, tobacco companies, acquired large food companies, such as Kraft Heinz Company and General Foods, they continued using aggressive advertising approaches used to promote cigarettes to advertise UPFs. That included targeting kids via digital platforms, TVs, and in-school marketing, creating an environment full of addictive and unhealthy food options.
Furthermore, the lawsuit against ultra-processed food manufacturers claims that RJ Reynolds and Philip Morris International dominated the United States food market for decades. And during this time, they employed their cigarette playbook to saturate the food environment with addictive, unhealthy foods that were aggressively advertised to kids and minorities.
Experts highlight the parallels between the nature of UPFs and nicotine. Research demonstrates that high amounts of salt, sugar, and fat in ultra-processed foods trigger reward pathways in the brain, causing compulsive consumption. The case claims that major food companies knew about these side effects but continued to advertise their products to children and minorities, causing the increasing rates of chronic diseases in children.
In January 2025, a study conducted by the Catholic University of Valencia identified additional health issues, revealing that UPFs may impact dental and jaw development in younger children. The study showed that younger children who regularly consumed ultra-processed foods had smaller gaps between baby teeth. The study further bolsters the correlation between UPFs and chronic inflammation, metabolic disorders, and fatty liver disease. As more plaintiffs come forward, attorneys are using this study to show that food corporations didn’t adequately warn the public about the potential health risks.
The Impact of Ultra-Processed Foods on Health: Why the Lawsuit Matters
In the United States, ultra-processed foods are increasingly being labelled as a severe public health issue as they’re associated with various chronic diseases. A report in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) links over 30 health effects to regular consumption of ultra-processed foods. The report also revealed that drinking or eating UPFs increases the risk of dying from other causes.
Health effects of ultra-processed foods include:
- Colorectal cancer
- Breast cancer
- Mental health problems
- Hypertension (blood pressure)
- Obesity
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- Cardiovascular disease
- Type 2 diabetes
Another report published in BMJ studied over 114,000 people and established that those who ate a lot of sugary cereals, processed meats, and sweetened drinks were likely to die prematurely.
The BMJ report found:
- Participants who consumed seven or more UPF servings daily were likely to die prematurely.
- Consuming UPFs regularly increased the risk of dying from neurodegenerative disease by 8%, but not from heart disease or cancer.
- White bread, processed meats, chips, sugary cereals, and diet sodas had adverse effects on overall health and mortality.
Ultra-Processed Foods and Mental Health Issues
Overconsumption of UPFs is linked with increased risk of mental health problems, including memory loss, depression, and cognitive decline among people aged 35 to 74. UPFs can also cause chemical imbalance in the brain, interfere with how human brains feel pleasure, and even harm the good bacteria in your gut. All of that can worsen your mental well-being.
A recent study by Harvard researchers shows that consuming nine or more ultra-processed food servings daily elevates the risk of developing depression by 50%–compared to participants who consumed four or fewer servings.
Ultra-Processed Foods and Obesity
Other ultra-processed food health risks include higher rates of obesity among children.
A recent study published in JAMA Network links regular and heavy consumption of UPFs to increased body fat among children and risks related to metabolic and heart health.
These processed foods can also affect babies’ weight because of the added sugar in most baby foods. The American Journal of Managed Care reports that today, babies weigh at least 200 grams more at birth compared to 25 years ago.
However, despite the severe health effects associated with UPFs, as noted by doctors and researchers, many ultra-processed food manufacturers continue to produce, sell, and aggressively market these foods, often without warning the public.
This is why many consumers across the United States are filing lawsuits against manufacturers of ultra-processed foods. These lawsuits aim to hold large food companies accountable for their negligence and recover compensation for individuals who developed health complications after consuming these food products.
Key Claims in the Lawsuit
As consumer lawsuits against food companies gain traction, claimants are making key claims about the way UPFs are made, marketed, and sold. These class action processed food lawsuits claim that:
- Food companies deliberately manipulated food ingredients to create cravings and addiction.
- Food manufacturers intentionally mislead consumers with aggressive and deceptive marketing.
- Food companies didn’t adequately warn consumers about the health conditions linked with regular and heavy consumption of UPFs.
How the 2025 Ultra-Processed Food Lawsuit Could Affect Consumers
This legal action has increased awareness around UPFs, putting these food products on the agenda in many countries globally. Thanks to UPF lawsuits, governments are beginning to acknowledge the correlation between UPFs and adverse health risks and are now committed to addressing the issue through legislative actions.
In the United States, this includes revising the FDA’s process for assessing food ingredient safety, with a particular focus on additives and synthetic dyes in ultra-processed food products.
For consumers, ultra-processed food lawsuits could cause:
- Increased awareness: The Nutritional Labelling Lawsuit 2025, along with increased media coverage, will enhance consumer awareness of the adverse health risks associated with consuming UPFs, ultimately leading to more informed consumer choices.
- Changes in dietary habits: Consumers may choose to reduce their consumption of UPFs and opt for whole, unprocessed foods instead, leading to healthier eating habits.
- Increased demand for healthier food options: These lawsuits may lead to more consumers demanding healthier, more nutritious food options, prompting food companies to reformulate their products or develop new ones.
Doctors and researchers globally agree that reducing UPF consumption early can facilitate healthier eating habits and better lifelong results.
What You Need to Know About Joining the Ultra-Processed Food Lawsuit
Currently, the health risks that you must suffer from to be eligible to file an ultra-processed food lawsuit against major food companies, such as Coca-Cola, Mondelez, and Kraft Heinz, include childhood obesity (in some cases), type 2 diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. To be eligible based on childhood obesity, you must also have a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or type 2 diabetes diagnosis. In addition, you must have received that diagnosis during childhood.
Further, to join a mass tort lawsuit against ultra-processed food manufacturers, you must also:
- Reach out to an experienced product liability lawyer to learn about your eligibility to file a lawsuit and legal options.
- Gather comprehensive evidence to prove your claims. Hiring an experienced attorney who specializes in lawsuits related to ultra-processed foods can help you gather elaborate evidence, including:
- Medical documents: Proof of your child’s medical diagnosis and treatments related to health complications like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes.
- Photos or receipts: Documents showing your connection to UPFs, including grocery receipts or pictures of frequently purchased products.
- Dietary history: Details about the UPFs your child consumes regularly–that may include specific products or brands that you and your child consume regularly.
- File a lawsuit that reflects your child’s diagnosis, treatment expenses, and emotional and financial strain on your family.
- Let your attorney handle the heavy lifting. An experienced ultra-processed food attorney can help you build a strong case, represent your family during the court appearances, and pursue the monetary compensation you and your family need to rebuild and move forward.
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