Ultra-processed food companies filed 235 lawsuits against health policies, investigation finds
7 reported
An investigation by the Guardian, in collaboration with academics, Lighthouse Reports and media partners across four continents, found that the world’s biggest ultra-processed food (UPF) companies have filed scores of lawsuits challenging government policies targeting junk diets. The investigation identified 235 lawsuits filed over health policies in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, the US and the UK from 2010 to 2025. Three-quarters of the lawsuits were filed by UPF manufacturers or trade associations, and some corporations requested courts withhold their names. Of the cases where the plaintiff was identifiable, 38% were brought by eight parent corporations: Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Mondelēz, Kellogg’s, Danone, Ferrero, Xignux and Heartland Food Products Group. Dozens of cases are ongoing; of those resolved, three-quarters were lost by the food giants, but the legal battles added up to almost 600 years in court. Experts said the lawsuits delayed adoption of public health policies, tied up government officials in litigation, and cost countries billions in legal and healthcare costs.
What’s reported
The investigation identified 235 lawsuits filed over health policies targeting UPF in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, the US and the UK from 2010 to 2025.
Three-quarters of the lawsuits were filed by UPF manufacturers or trade associations.
38% of cases with identifiable plaintiffs were brought by eight parent corporations: Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Mondelēz, Kellogg’s, Danone, Ferrero, Xignux and Heartland Food Products Group.
Of resolved cases, three-quarters were lost by the food giants.
The length of legal battles added up to almost 600 years in court.
Most lawsuits were filed in Mexico (193), Colombia (18) and Brazil (17), with six in the US and one in the UK.
Policies most sued over were front-of-pack warning labels, taxes on junk food, and marketing restrictions.
Key figures
Marion Nestle, professor of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University
Phillip Baker, associate professor at the University of Sydney
Melissa Mialon, associate professor at Inserm (French national institute of health and medical research)
Katherine Shats, legal specialist in child nutrition at Unicef
Chris van Tulleken, associate professor at University College London and author of "Ultra-Processed People"
Spokespersons for Coca-Cola, Ferrero, and Danone
Sources: The Guardian
