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WHO says ultra-processed food firms blocked health efforts with lawsuits
A global investigation found 235 lawsuits launched from 2010 to 2025 against health policies targeting ultra-processed foods in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, the US, and the UK.
World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said major ultra-processed food companies are hindering public health efforts by suing governments that are trying to curb junk food and encourage healthier diets, according to a Guardian Business report.
The outlet cites the WHO account that obesity-related harms extend beyond individual health, driving outcomes including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. It also notes that nearly 1 billion people worldwide live with obesity, and that unhealthy diets are identified as a key driver.
The report says a separate global investigation found 235 lawsuits were filed over health policies targeting ultra-processed foods in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, the US, and the UK between 2010 and 2025. It also alleges the same companies publicly back such measures while pursuing legal action to overturn, weaken, or delay them.
According to the report, governments have introduced policies including front-of-pack warning labels, restrictions on marketing and advertising for unhealthy products, and taxes on junk food, while the WHO warned that legal and healthcare costs have added up for countries.