Comparing the industrys 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 nations largest ultra-processed food manufacturers.

Chiu alleges the companies knowingly produce products that are highly addictive and harmful, violating Californias 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.

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

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Kraft Heinz, Mondelez, Post Holdings, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Ge

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