A coalition of leading health experts has issued a stark warning, identifying ultra-processed foods (UPFs) as a primary driver of a global 'chronic disease pandemic' linked to worsening diets.
The Scale of the Problem
In a new report published in The Lancet, forty-three scientists and researchers have sounded the alarm. They accuse powerful food corporations of prioritising 'profitability above all else'. The authors draw a direct comparison to the tobacco industry, stating that the public health response to UPFs is still in its early stages, similar to where tobacco control stood decades ago.
UPFs encompass a wide range of everyday items, including processed meats, mass-produced bread, many breakfast cereals, biscuits, crisps, ice cream, and fizzy drinks. These products are typically high in saturated fat, salt, and sugar, while also containing various additives like artificial sweeteners and preservatives. They not only crowd out more nutritious foods from our diets but are also believed to have a detrimental effect on gut health.
Industry Influence and Scientific Doubt
The report levies a serious accusation against the food industry, highlighting its growing economic and political power. The authors claim there are 'co-ordinated efforts... to skew decision-making, frame policy debates in their interest, and manufacture the appearance of scientific doubt'. This orchestrated influence, they argue, is a major reason why government policy is lagging behind the health crisis, despite some countries introducing controls.
Professor Chris Van Tulleken from University College London, one of the report's authors, emphasised that the issue is systemic. 'This is not a product level discussion. The entire diet is being ultra-processed,' he warned. He linked the rise in obesity and diet-related diseases directly to a 'three-decade history of reformulation by the food industry'.
Health Risks and Industry Response
Existing research strongly associates UPF consumption with serious health conditions. Previous studies cited by the British Heart Foundation have linked these foods to a greater risk of heart disease, stroke, and premature death. Furthermore, a 2023 meta-analysis published in the PubMed journal found evidence suggesting an association between UPF intake and the risk of several cancers, including colorectal, breast, and pancreatic cancer.
However, some experts not involved with the report have urged caution, noting that while studies show a clear link, they have not yet definitively proven causation. In response to the criticisms, Kate Halliwell, chief scientific officer at the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), stated that the industry has made significant changes. She claimed that FDF-member products now contain a third less salt and sugar and a quarter fewer calories compared to 2015, aligning with government guidelines.
A Parallel Health Crisis: Cancer Symptom Delays
Amid the warnings on diet, a separate health concern has emerged. Cancer Research UK has revealed that many people in the UK are delaying getting potential cancer symptoms checked. A poll for the charity of 6,844 people found that over half (53%) were put off because they believed getting a doctor's appointment would be difficult, a fear confirmed by 47% who had actually found it hard to secure one.
Other key reasons for delay included:
- 44% thought their symptom wasn't serious.
- 41% believed they could manage the issue themselves.
- 40% didn't want to be seen as making a fuss.
To help address this, Cancer Research UK has now trained Tesco pharmacists to spot potential signs of cancer. The initiative allows people to speak with a pharmacist in private to receive advice on next steps and whether seeing a GP is recommended.
