- Earth Conscious Life
- Posts
- 12/18/24: 🍔 Big Food under fire, landmark lawsuit
12/18/24: 🍔 Big Food under fire, landmark lawsuit
Accountability may finally be coming to companies who've poisoned a generation
Rob Herring
December 18, 2024
Happy Wednesday my friend,
There is a trend of accountability sweeping the mainstream culture. When it comes to ultra-processed foods and the responsibility of the companies who make them, citizens are beginning to become fed up. The cheap, toxic ingredients, and the lack of transparency when it comes to the safety of these products is finally manifesting into a collective resistance…
🍔 Big Food Under Fire
A recent lawsuit filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas has brought significant attention to the practices of major food companies, accusing them of intentionally making ultra-processed foods (UPF) addictive.
This could be a landmark case, and part of a larger shift currently happening in the collective awareness about how modern popular foods are ruining our health.
The lawsuit, described as "first-of-its-kind," was initiated by Bryce Martinez, a Pennsylvania teenager, who claims the consumption of these foods led to his development of Type 2 Diabetes and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by age 16.
Allegations Against Food Companies
The lawsuit targets 11 major food companies, including the usual suspects: Coca-Cola, Kraft Heinz, Mars, and PepsiCo. It alleges these companies knowingly engineered their products to be addictive, drawing parallels with addictive substances like nicotine and cocaine.
The complaint suggests that these food products are designed to override natural defenses against overconsumption, leading to addictive behaviors.
Targeting Children
A significant aspect of the lawsuit is the claim that these companies have specifically targeted children through their marketing strategies.
It argues that this has resulted in chronic diseases among young people, such as Type 2 Diabetes and fatty liver disease, conditions that were once rare in children.
The accusation is that these companies adopted strategies similar to those used by tobacco companies in the past, prioritizing profit over consumer health.
Scientific Backing
Luckily this argument is supported by scientific research indicating that UPFs can lead to addiction-like behaviors. Studies cited in the complaint suggest that UPFs can significantly increase disease risks compared to less processed foods with similar nutritional profiles.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Califf has also acknowledged the potential addictiveness of ultra-processed foods.
Broader Implications
This legal action comes amid broader scrutiny of the food industry’s role in public health. The nominee for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has criticized the presence of processed foods in school lunches and pledged to address this issue.
The case highlights growing concerns about the health impacts of UPFs and could influence future regulatory measures and public health policies.
Just this week, another study was released correlating consumption of ultra-processed seed oils with colon cancer in young people.
This landmark lawsuit underscores the ongoing debate about the responsibility of food companies in public health issues related to diet and nutrition. As it progresses, it may set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, potentially leading to stricter regulations on food processing and marketing practices aimed at vulnerable populations like children.
Should food companies be held liable if they intentionally made ultra-processed foods addictive? |
Make Mealtime Easy with Huel
Packed with 40g of protein & 27 essential nutrients
Fast & convenient for the busiest days
8 delicious flavors including Chocolate, Cookies & Cream, and Coffee Caramel
Get 15% off your first order, plus a free t-shirt and shaker with code BEHUEL15
😊 Conscious Corner
Earth-conscious stories you may have missed…
🧠 PARENTAL PRESSURE: New advisory highlights mental health challenges for parents (more)
🔋 SOIL POWER: Geobatteries in soil could help address environmental issues (more)
🐾 CONSERVATION CANINES: Dogs help protect Wisconsin nature preserve (more)
🦌 ELK FREEDOM: Tule elk to roam freely in Point Reyes National Seashore (more)
🍍 REGENERATIVE PINEAPPLES: Uganda's sustainable farming practices boost pineapple production (more)
Processed foods cause inflammation, a source of most chronic illnesses as well as stress.
To a healing future,
— Rob
P.S. Do not miss out on the most advanced formulation of well-studied stress release herbs and ingredients. Earth Conscious Life readers get it here.