Voice of People Report, 2nd August: 

Major ultra-processed food companies are standing in the way of global efforts to promote healthier diets and tackle the growing obesity crisis, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has alleged.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said large food corporations are using legal challenges to delay government policies aimed at reducing unhealthy food consumption. He warned that such actions are costing countries billions of dollars in healthcare and legal expenses.

The comments came after an international investigation found that food companies and industry groups had filed hundreds of lawsuits against governments seeking to introduce measures to protect public health.

According to the investigation, at least 235 legal cases were filed between 2010 and 2025 in countries including Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, the United States and the United Kingdom over policies targeting ultra-processed foods.

These policies include warning labels on food packaging, restrictions on unhealthy food advertising, particularly aimed at children, and taxes on junk food.

Growing Global Obesity Crisis

The WHO says nearly one billion people worldwide were living with obesity in 2024, making obesity one of the biggest public health challenges of the modern era.

Unhealthy diets are among the leading causes of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and several forms of cancer. In many countries, including the UK, the US and Australia, ultra-processed foods now make up a significant part of people’s daily diets.

Ultra-processed foods include many packaged snacks, sugary drinks, ready-made meals and other products containing high levels of sugar, salt, unhealthy fats and artificial ingredients.

‘Companies Are Delaying Public Health Action’

Dr Tedros said some food companies publicly claim to support healthier choices, but their legal actions against government policies tell a different story.

“When harm and profit are tied to the same product, a familiar pattern of industry interference emerges: creating doubt and obstructing regulation,” he said.

He added that lawsuits were not only about winning court battles but were also being used to slow down the implementation of health policies and discourage other countries from introducing similar measures.

The investigation found that around three-quarters of resolved lawsuits were unsuccessful for food companies. However, even unsuccessful cases delayed public health measures for years and placed additional pressure on government resources.

Global Food Giants Under Scrutiny

Several major food and beverage companies have been involved in legal disputes related to public health regulations, including The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, Mondelēz International, Kellanova and Danone.

The companies argue that they are working to improve their products and help consumers make informed choices.

However, Dr Tedros said voluntary efforts alone were not enough to address the scale of the global obesity problem.

“If companies are serious about being part of the solution, they should stop using litigation and other tactics that prevent governments from protecting public health,” he said.

WHO Calls for Stronger Action

The WHO chief urged governments to continue introducing policies that encourage healthier eating habits, despite legal challenges from powerful food corporations.

He said measures such as clearer food labels, restrictions on unhealthy advertising and policies promoting nutritious diets have already shown positive results in several countries.

Dr Tedros warned that the burden of unhealthy diets and obesity is increasing inequality around the world, particularly in poorer countries where governments often have fewer resources to fight powerful corporate interests.

The WHO has called for stronger global cooperation to ensure that protecting public health remains a priority over commercial interests.