Global Markets
Home›Global Markets›Trade & Tariffs›Ultra-processed food firms have launched hundreds of l…
Ultra-processed food firms have launched hundreds of lawsuits to delay rules
An investigative tally by Lighthouse Reports says since 2010, the industry and lobby groups have filed 235 lawsuits against governments, with identifiable plaintiffs including Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Mondelēz.
The Guardian Business reports that ultra-processed food manufacturers and their lobby groups have been using litigation to resist or weaken government efforts aimed at diet related health risks. The article argues that as evidence of harm becomes harder to deny, companies have leaned on lawsuits to slow regulatory action.
According to the piece, Lighthouse Reports, working with academics and media partners including the Guardian, has tracked a broader pattern worldwide since 2010. The review counts 235 lawsuits against governments, totaling 595 years of litigation, and finds that more than a third of cases with identifiable plaintiffs were filed by top global brands, led by Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Mondelēz.
The story also cites comments from World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who said litigation has been used to oppose or weaken public health measures on obesity and unhealthy diets. It adds that, in the WHO account, the delays can increase healthcare and legal expenses and create a regulatory chill that discourages governments from adopting protections.
The article frames the stakes as growing diet related disease burden globally, saying more than 1 billion people live with obesity and a further 2 billion are overweight. It adds that ultra-processed foods are described as staples in countries including the UK, US and Australia, where they make up half of the average diet.