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Research has linked ultra-processed food consumption to serious health conditions in children, including type-2 diabetes, and fatty liver disease. If your child has developed health problems due to these harmful products, you may be entitled to compensation.
At Levin Papantonio, we’re dedicated to helping families affected by the dangers of ultra-processed foods. Our attorneys are investigating claims from parents whose children have suffered fatty liver disease and/or Type-2 diabetes tied to these products. Our nationally recognized law firm has battled Corporate America since 1955, resulting in the recovery of over $80 billion for plaintiffs.
Our UPF lawyers want to keep you informed of the latest news regarding ultraprocessed foods lawsuits. Bookmark this page and come back for updates.
January 2025 UPF Lawsuit Updates
Last month, a lawsuit was filed in Philadelphia accusing companies like Kraft Heinz, Mondelez, and Coca-Cola of designing and marketing ultra-processed foods (UPFs) to be addictive, particularly targeting children. The suit alleges that these practices have led to chronic health issues such as type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in young consumers.. [CNN article]
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are industrially manufactured products containing additives and artificial ingredients. Manufacturers use these substances to enhance flavor and shelf life, but recent evidence has shown a different motive for adding these ingredients as well.
Recent lawsuits allege that major food companies have intentionally engineered these products to be addictive. Claims also state manufacturers target children with advertising related to these products. The ultra-processed foods lead to serious health issues like type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Legal claims argue that these companies have used marketing strategies similar to those used by tobacco firms in that they:
These corporations have prioritized profit over public health. They stand accused of negligence and deceptive/fraudulent practices. Legal actions seek compensation for affected individuals and families.
According to Harvard Medical School’s Harvard Health Publishing, unprocessed or minimally processed foods are whole foods that retain their natural vitamins and nutrients. These foods are in or close to their natural state. They may undergo simple processes like drying, boiling, freezing, or pasteurization to make them safe and easy to store. Examples include fresh fruits and vegetables and unsalted nuts.
Processed foods, on the other hand, are altered from their natural state by adding ingredients like salt, sugar, or oil. They typically contain just a few ingredients and include items like canned vegetables, fruits in syrup, and freshly baked bread.
Highly processed or ultra-processed foods go a step further. They often contain multiple additives, such as artificial colors, preservatives, and sweeteners. These foods are made from substances extracted from whole foods, such as starches, hydrogenated fats, and added sugars. Examples include:
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are engineered to trigger cravings, compulsive use, and psychoactive effects, making them highly addictive. These foods have overtaken traditional diets and now dominate children’s meals, leading to a surge in related health issues.
Obesity rates have doubled in adults and tripled in children, while type 2 diabetes cases have tripled since 1980. Children now get 2/3 of their energy from UPF, according to JAMA Journal.
Alarming trends show that diseases once rare in youth, like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes, are now common, with rates doubling in recent years. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease affects children as frequently as asthma, according to The Washington Post.
Studies reveal that UPFs significantly increase the risk of serious conditions, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and mental health disorders. These risks persist outside of nutritional factors like fat, sugar, and salt.
The danger lies in the ultra-processed nature of these foods, not just their nutrient content. Even healthier-seeming UPFs with fewer calories or less sugar still carry harmful risks due to how they affect the body.
Despite decades of evidence linking UPFs to these public health crises, the food industry continues to market and sell them aggressively. Profits trump the well-being of society.
As a result, the U.S. grapples with epidemics of chronic illnesses fueled by UPF diets.
Many reputable studies have shown that consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) can greatly increase the risk of serious health problems. These include:
Several studies have found a link between eating ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
For example, a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine (2019) examined the link between eating UPF and developing type 2 diabetes in over 100,000 French adults. Researchers found that for every 10% increase in ultra-processed foods in a person’s diet, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes increased by 15%.
Participants with the highest intake of ultra-processed foods were significantly more likely to develop diabetes compared to those with the lowest intake. The study highlighted the need to reduce ultra-processed food consumption as a potential way to lower diabetes risk.
Another study in Diabetes Care found that higher UPF consumption was associated with a greater risk of type 2 diabetes.
Additionally, a review in BMC Medicine concluded that diets high in UPFs are linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.
A growing number of children in the U.S. are developing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition once seen mainly in adults. This disease has doubled in children from 2017 to 2021, affecting up to 10% of kids.
Studies suggest that a rise in ultra-processed foods, which now make up a large portion of children’s diets, is contributing to this health crisis. These foods, high in sugar and unhealthy fats, are linked to liver damage, and experts warn that this could lead to long-term health problems.
A 2019 study published in Cell Metabolism examined how ultra-processed foods affect calorie intake and contribute to weight gain. Researchers studied 20 healthy, overweight adults who stayed at a medical facility. Subjects alternated between an ultra-processed diet and an unprocessed diet for 14 days each.
Both diets were matched for total calories, fat, carbohydrates, protein, fiber, sugar, and sodium. However, they differed in the source of the calories:
The results revealed that participants consumed about 500 more calories per day on the ultra-processed diet than on the unprocessed one. This increased calorie intake led to an average weight gain of two pounds during the ultraprocessed phase.
Participants lost two pounds during the unprocessed phase. The researchers concluded that reducing ultra-processed food consumption could be a key strategy for preventing and managing obesity.
A study published in The BMJ looked at the eating habits of over 100,000 French adults over five years. Researchers found that people who ate more ultra-processed foods had a higher risk of heart problems, including:
These findings stayed significant even after accounting for the overall nutritional quality of their diets, such as levels of saturated fat, sodium, sugar, and fiber.
The study doesn’t prove that ultra-processed foods directly cause heart disease. However, it does show a strong link between these foods and heart-related health issues.
The amount of compensation you could receive in an ultraprocessed foods lawsuit depends on the type and extent of your injury.
With this type of lawsuit, affected individuals may seek to recover multiple types of damages, including:
Our UPF lawyers will investigate your case and calculate your damages.
Since 1955, our law firm has helped those injured by corporate greed and negligence. Our lawyers won against Big Tobacco, and we stand ready to fight these same tactics on your behalf.
We believe in “doing well by doing good.” We charge legal fees only if we win your case.
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