Reining in the influence of ‘Big Food’ companies

“ ‘Ultra-processed foods’ might not be a familiar term to many people, but they are an emerging, and increasingly dominant, type of food in the world. These foods are typically created through a series of industrial techniques and processes, and are designed to be potentially more addictive than other foods. They are also hyper-palatable, creating a rewarding eating experience that may facilitate overconsumption. In addition, they are heavily marketed, and include soft drinks, instant noodles and baby formula.

Ultra-processed foods are often high in calories, added sugar, trans-fats and sodium. They also undergo extensive industrial processing and often contain many artificial additives. This makes them harmful to people’s health, and their consumption is associated with higher risks of obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and