Ultra-processed food companies delay health policies through legal actions, says WHO

Legal battles by ultra-processed food firms delay public health measures

The World Health Organization (WHO) has accused the world’s largest ultra-processed food (UPF) companies of hindering global efforts to tackle the obesity crisis by suing governments that attempt to promote healthier diets. According to a recent investigation by the Guardian and other media outlets, these legal actions have significantly delayed the adoption of vital public health measures, costing countries billions in healthcare and legal expenses.

235 lawsuits filed against health policies targeting UPFs

From 2010 to 2025, a total of 235 lawsuits were filed by ultra-processed food companies or trade groups representing them, targeting health policies in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, the US, and the UK. These policies included front-of-pack warning labels, marketing restrictions on unhealthy products, and taxes on junk food. Three-quarters of the lawsuits were filed by UPF companies or their trade groups, with many cases ultimately lost by the food corporations. Legal actions have delayed public health measures for years

Even when these lawsuits were unsuccessful, they created significant delays in the adoption of public health measures. Governments and public health officials were tied up in complex and expensive litigation, which hindered their ability to implement effective policies. The WHO director general, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, emphasized that these delays have had a profound impact, costing countries billions in legal and healthcare expenses and creating a regulatory chill that deters governments from taking action.

Obesity crisis worsens as UPF consumption rises

Ultra-processed food consumption is on the rise, now making up half the average diet in many countries, including the UK, the US, and Australia. Almost 1 billion people worldwide are living with obesity, and unhealthy diets are a major driver of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. The WHO has called for global action to address this growing public health crisis, urging governments to continue adopting the health policies they are being sued over.

• 235 lawsuits filed by UPF companies or trade groups
• Three-quarters of lawsuits were filed by UPF companies
• Legal actions delayed public health measures for years
• WHO director highlights cost of legal battles

WHO urges companies to end litigation and support public health Dr. Tedros acknowledged that some large food companies have made progress in making their products healthier, but he stressed that these efforts are not enough to address the scale of the global health crisis. He urged companies to end litigation and other tactics that strain government resources and hinder public health efforts. “These efforts are welcome, but they are not sufficient on their own,” he said. “To contribute meaningfully to the solution, companies should also end litigation and other tactics that strain limited government resources and hinder efforts to protect public health.” The WHO has called for continued global action to address the obesity crisis, emphasizing that momentum for change is building and that the organization remains committed to supporting these efforts.