Ultra-Processed Foods Should Be Treated More Like Cigarettes Than Food, Study Says

A new report suggests ultra-processed foods (UPFs) should be regulated more strictly, similar to cigarettes. Researchers from three US universities argue that both UPFs and cigarettes are designed to foster addiction and encourage high consumption. They highlight the widespread health damage associated with both categories of products. UPFs are industrially manufactured foods often containing artificial additives, and include items like soft drinks, crisps, and biscuits. The production methods for UPFs and cigarettes share similarities, with manufacturers optimizing product "doses" and their speed of action on the body's reward systems. This comparison is supported by research drawn from addiction science, nutrition, and public health history. The study, published in the Milbank Quarterly, points out that marketing claims like "low fat" or "sugar free" on UPFs are a form of "health washing." This tactic, researchers state, can impede regulatory efforts, much like the marketing of cigarette filters in the past. These filters were promoted as beneficial but ultimately offered little real protection. Therefore, the report advocates for more stringent oversight of UPFs.