San Francisco Files Lawsuit Against Major Ultra-Processed Food Makers

Officials in San Francisco have initiated legal action against several prominent manufacturers of ultra-processed foods, citing serious health impacts linked to their products. The lawsuit, announced on March 5, 2024, targets major companies including Kraft Heinz Company, Mondelez International, The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, General Mills, Nestle, Kellogg, Mars Incorporated, and ConAgra Brands. City Attorney David Chiu described the lawsuit as “first-of-its-kind,” asserting that these companies have knowingly contributed to a public health crisis.

According to Chiu, the manufacturers have engineered and marketed ultra-processed foods to be addictive, resulting in significant health challenges for consumers. “These companies created a public health crisis with the engineering and marketing of ultra-processed foods,” he stated in a press release. He added that recent surveys indicate a growing desire among Americans to avoid such foods, yet their prevalence continues to rise.

The city attorney emphasizes that ultra-processed foods account for approximately 70% of the food supply in the United States. These products include items such as candies, chips, processed meats, sodas, energy drinks, and boxed meals that are not typically made at home. San Francisco officials argue that these foods are formulated with a combination of chemicals designed to stimulate cravings and promote overconsumption.

Health experts have raised alarms regarding the negative effects of ultra-processed foods. Research published in the British Medical Journal last year indicated that diets high in these foods are associated with an increased risk of 32 damaging health outcomes, including type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease, colorectal cancer, and depression. The city claims that these health issues have contributed to rising healthcare costs, which have escalated from 5% of the GDP in 1960 to nearly 20% today. In 2016 alone, diabetes-related hospitalizations cost the city over $85 million.

The lawsuit alleges that the marketing practices of these companies violate California’s Unfair Competition Law and public nuisance statutes. San Francisco officials are seeking an order for the companies to cease deceptive marketing practices, implement corrective actions, and provide restitution along with civil penalties.

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has expressed strong support for the lawsuit, stating, “We’re not going to let our residents be misled about the products in our grocery stores. We are going to stand up for public health and give parents the information they need to keep themselves and their kids safe and healthy.”

As the case unfolds, it has the potential to set a precedent in addressing the health impacts of ultra-processed foods and the responsibilities of manufacturers in the food industry.