Major food corporations, including Kraft Heinz, Mondelez, Coca-Cola, and others, are facing a groundbreaking lawsuit in the US, alleging they designed and marketed “ultra-processed” foods to be addictive to children, leading to chronic diseases. Filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, the case was brought by Bryce Martinez, a Pennsylvania resident who developed type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by age 16. Represented by Morgan Morgan, the lawsuit is the first of its kind.
The complaint also targets Post Holdings, PepsiCo, General Mills, Nestlé USA, WK Kellogg, Mars, Kellanova, and Conagra, accusing them of knowingly engineering harmful products. It likens their strategy to the “cigarette playbook” used by tobacco giants Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds, previously linked to Kraft Heinz and Mondelez. Claims in the lawsuit include conspiracy, negligence, fraudulent misrepresentation, and unfair business practices, with Martinez seeking compensatory and punitive damages.
Ultra-processed foods, often defined as snacks, sweets, and sodas made from extracted or synthesized substances, have been linked to chronic health issues like obesity and diabetes. While there is no standardized scientific definition, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf has stated these foods are likely addictive. Critics argue that such foods exacerbate health disparities, while the industry defends their nutrient value.
This case could mark a turning point in holding food companies accountable, echoing past battles with the tobacco industry over public health risks.
Read Also;
