San Francisco Files Lawsuit Against Food Manufacturers Over Ultraprocessed Products
San Francisco, California – The City of San Francisco initiated legal action against several major food manufacturers on Tuesday, alleging that ultraprocessed foods contribute to public health issues. The lawsuit targets ten companies, including prominent producers of various food products.
Defendants and Allegations
City Attorney David Chiu named the following companies in the complaint:
- Coca-Cola
- Nestle
- PepsiCo
- Kraft Heinz Company
- Post Holdings
- Mondelez International
- General Mills
- Kellogg
- Mars Incorporated
- ConAgra Brands
The lawsuit contends that ultraprocessed foods are linked to various health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, and cancer. According to a news release from Chiu's office, these foods are described as "formulations of often chemically manipulated cheap ingredients with little if any whole food added," designed to "stimulate cravings and encourage overconsumption."
Legal Basis and Requested Remedies
The city's lawsuit asserts that the companies' production and promotion of ultraprocessed foods violate California's Unfair Competition Law and public nuisance statute. San Francisco is seeking a court order to:
- Prevent the companies from engaging in "deceptive marketing" practices.
- Require the companies to implement consumer education initiatives regarding the health risks associated with ultraprocessed foods.
- Limit advertising and marketing of ultraprocessed foods to children.
- Impose financial penalties to offset local government healthcare expenditures attributed to the consumption of ultraprocessed foods.
The named companies did not immediately provide comments when contacted.
Broader Context
The lawsuit references scientific studies concerning the health impacts of ultraprocessed foods. Professor Kim Newell-Green of the University of California, San Francisco, was cited in a news release stating that research links these products to diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, heart disease, colorectal cancer, and depression at younger ages.
Recent related developments include:
- Federal Data: An August report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicated that over half of the average American's caloric intake originates from ultraprocessed foods.
- State Legislation: In October, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation to phase out specific ultraprocessed foods from school meal programs over the next decade.
- National Dialogue: U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has publicly commented on the negative health impacts of ultraprocessed foods and has advocated for their removal from programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as part of his "Make America Healthy Again" campaign.