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The City of San Francisco has filed a sweeping lawsuit against ten of the world’s largest food and beverage manufacturers, including PepsiCo, The Coca-Cola Company, Nestlé, and Kraft Heinz, accusing them of creating a public health crisis through the marketing and sale of ultra-processed foods (UPFs).
Filed in California Superior Court, the lawsuit alleges that these companies engaged in a decades-long campaign of deception, intentionally misleading consumers about the addictive and harmful nature of their products. City Attorney David Chiu stated that the companies’ actions have disproportionately harmed young people and communities of color, contributing to soaring rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The legal action frames the issue as a public nuisance, drawing parallels to landmark litigation against the tobacco and opioid industries. The City Attorney's official announcement details the allegations, asserting that the defendants knew their products were detrimental to public health but prioritized profits over consumer well-being.
San Francisco’s complaint is built on a growing body of scientific evidence. An umbrella review published in the BMJ found that greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, including cardiometabolic issues, common mental disorders, and early mortality. Further research highlights that a 10% increase in UPF consumption is linked to a 12% rise in cardiovascular disease risk and a comparable increase in cancer incidence, as noted in a review by Aspects of Molecular Medicine. The city seeks to hold the manufacturers financially accountable for the substantial public health costs incurred in treating these diet-related illnesses and is demanding an injunction to halt their allegedly deceptive marketing practices.
The Consumer Brands Association, a trade group representing the food and beverage industry, sharply criticized the lawsuit, labeling it “baseless” and counterproductive. The association argues that companies are already offering healthier options and providing transparent nutritional information to empower consumers. In its response to the legal challenge, the industry group emphasized that tackling complex health issues requires a holistic approach, rather than singling out specific food products. The outcome of this case is being closely watched, as it could establish a new legal precedent for holding manufacturers accountable for the public health impacts of their products and inspire similar lawsuits in other jurisdictions.
