Towards unified global action on ultra-processed foods: understanding commercial determinants, countering corporate power, and mobilising a public health response
1
Issued Date
2025-12-06
Resource Type
eISSN
1474547X
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105024128458
Pubmed ID
41270764
Journal Title
Lancet London England
Volume
406
Issue
10520
Start Page
2703
End Page
2726
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Lancet London England Vol.406 No.10520 (2025) , 2703-2726
Suggested Citation
Baker P., Slater S., White M., Wood B., Contreras A., Corvalán C., Gupta A., Hofman K., Kruger P., Laar A., Lawrence M., Mafuyeka M., Mialon M., Monteiro C.A., Nanema S., Phulkerd S., Popkin B.M., Serodio P., Shats K., Van Tulleken C., Nestle M., Barquera S. Towards unified global action on ultra-processed foods: understanding commercial determinants, countering corporate power, and mobilising a public health response. Lancet London England Vol.406 No.10520 (2025) , 2703-2726. 2726. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(25)01567-3 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/113507
Title
Towards unified global action on ultra-processed foods: understanding commercial determinants, countering corporate power, and mobilising a public health response
Author's Affiliation
Universidade de São Paulo
University College London
Université Paris Cité
New York University
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Deakin University
Universidad de Chile
UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
University of Ghana
The University of Sydney School of Public Health
Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica
The Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition
United Nations
Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex
Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University
National Council for Humanities
Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest
University College London
Université Paris Cité
New York University
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Deakin University
Universidad de Chile
UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
University of Ghana
The University of Sydney School of Public Health
Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica
The Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition
United Nations
Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex
Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University
National Council for Humanities
Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
The rise of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in human diets is harming global public health. However, policy responses are still emerging-much like tobacco control efforts decades ago-indicating the need to understand root causes and accelerate global action. This paper, the third in a three-part Lancet Series, takes several steps to advance knowledge of these causes, and to inform a global public health response. First, we show that the UPF industry is a key driver of the problem, as its leading corporations and co-dependent actors have expanded and restructured food systems almost everywhere, in favour of ultra-processed diets. The higher profitability of UPFs compared with other types of food fuels this growth, by financially incentivising the ultra-processed business model over alternatives, and generating resources for continued expansion. Second, we highlight that the main barrier to advancing policy responses is the industry's corporate political activities, coordinated transnationally through a global network of front groups, multi-stakeholder initiatives, and research partners, to counter opposition and block regulation. These activities include direct lobbying, infiltrating government agencies, and litigation; promoting corporate-friendly governance models, forms of regulation, and civil societies; and framing debate, generating favourable evidence, and manufacturing scientific doubt. Third, we present strategies for reducing the UPF industry's power in food systems and for mobilising a global public health response. Reducing the UPF industry's power involves disrupting the ultra-processed business model and redistributing resources to other types of food producers; protecting food governance from corporate interference; and implementing robust conflict of interest safeguards in policy making, research, and professional practice. Mobilising a global response includes framing UPFs as a priority global health issue; building powerful global and country-level advocacy coalitions; generating legal, research, and communication capacities to empower advocacy and drive policy change; and ensuring a just transition to low-UPF diets. A coordinated, well resourced global response is essential-one that confronts corporate power, reclaims public policy space, and restructures food systems to prioritise health, equity, and sustainability over corporate profit.