San Francisco compares ultra‑processed food industry to big tobacco in landmark suit

Comparing the industry’s tactics to those of Big Tobacco, San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu filed what he called a “first-of-its-kind” lawsuit against several of the nation’s largest ultra-processed food manufacturers.

Chiu alleges the companies knowingly produce products that are highly addictive and harmful, violating California’s Unfair Competition Law.

The lawsuit says the dangers of ultra-processed foods are “not solely about the amount of calories, fat, sugar, salt, or carbohydrates consumed.”

“The high levels of processing change the physical and chemical structure of the foods and change how humans digest them,” officials said.

Kraft Heinz, Mondelez, Post Holdings, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, General Mills, Nestlé USA, Kellogg, Mars Inc. and ConAgra Brands are named in the suit.