The Junk Food Lobby’s Dirty War on Public Health

The World Health Organization (WHO) has exposed a disturbing phenomenon: top ultra-processed food companies are using lawsuits to undermine global efforts to combat obesity. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the revelation, which is not surprising given the industry’s entrenched interests.

Between 2010 and 2025, these companies filed 235 lawsuits against governments in five countries over health policies targeting ultra-processed foods. The numbers are staggering: almost one billion people worldwide live with obesity, a condition linked to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer at alarming rates. Ultra-processed food makes up half of the average diet in many countries.

The WHO’s criticism is aimed directly at companies like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Mondelēz, Kellogg’s, Danone, Ferrero, Xignux, and Heartland Food Products Group. These companies have used various tactics to block policies threatening their profits: taking governments to court, tying up public health officials in costly litigation, and even requesting that courts keep their identities secret.

This is not just corporate greed; it’s a war on public health. The ultra-processed food industry is using its vast resources to undermine efforts protecting the world’s most vulnerable populations from obesity-related diseases. As Tedros pointed out, “When harm and profit are tied to the same product, a familiar pattern of industry interference emerges: sowing doubt and obstructing regulation.”

The consequences of this lobbying effort are severe. Governments must divert resources away from public health initiatives towards costly litigation, creating a regulatory chill that deters other countries from adopting vital protections. In 2024, almost one billion people worldwide were living with obesity – one in seven people globally.

Governments must continue to adopt public health measures despite the threats and lawsuits from the ultra-processed food industry. Momentum is building, but it’s being hindered by persistent litigation. As Tedros urged, “Momentum for change is building, and WHO remains committed to supporting these efforts every step of the way.”

The question now is: what will it take for governments to stand up to these powerful corporations? Will it require more evidence of their destructive influence or more public outrage over the devastating consequences of obesity-related diseases? Whatever the catalyst, one thing is clear: the ultra-processed food industry’s war on public health must be met with fierce resistance.

The global community has a choice to make. We can either continue down the path of inaction, allowing the junk food lobby to dictate our health policies, or we can take bold action to protect the world’s most vulnerable populations from obesity-related diseases. The WHO has sounded the alarm; now it’s up to governments and civil society to rise to the challenge.

These efforts are welcome, but they are not sufficient on their own to meet the scale of this global health crisis. It’s time for a more ambitious approach – one that prioritizes public health over corporate profits. The future of global health hangs in the balance; it’s up to us to decide which path we’ll choose.

The ultra-processed food industry’s war on public health is a dirty and well-funded campaign, but it’s not too late to intervene. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and our communities to stand up to these corporations and demand better. The time for change is now – before the consequences of inaction become irreversible.

This isn’t just about junk food; it’s about who gets to decide what we eat and how we live. It’s a question of power, not just health policy. As long as corporate interests are allowed to dictate our public health agenda, the obesity crisis will continue to spread its deadly tentacles around the world.

It’s time for governments to take control of their own destiny and prioritize the well-being of their citizens over the profits of corporations. The WHO has shown us the way forward – now it’s up to us to follow. Will we rise to the challenge, or will we succumb to the lobbying power of the ultra-processed food industry? Only time will tell.