Scientists from three leading US universities have called for the introduction of strict regulations on ultra-processed foods, warning that they are as harmful to health as cigarettes.
According to a recent study conducted by researchers from Harvard University, Duke University, and the University of Michigan, ultra-processed foods are deliberately designed to encourage repeated consumption and addiction, in a manner similar to tobacco products.
The researchers urged governments and public health authorities to introduce strong public health policies to reduce the harmful effects of these foods.
The study, based on evidence from 50 countries worldwide, links high consumption of ultra-processed foods to obesity, changes in brain function, and metabolic disorders, including serious diseases such as Parkinson’s disease.
Researchers noted that recent estimates suggest that in the United States, one person dies every four minutes from preventable diseases directly associated with the consumption of ultra-processed foods.
Experts warned that if consumption of these foods is not controlled, public health challenges could worsen significantly in the future. They emphasized the urgent need for clear warning labels, advertising restrictions, and strict laws, similar to those imposed on cigarettes.
Scientists further revealed that both the food and tobacco industries have used similar strategies to evade regulation and make their products more appealing, effectively exploiting human biological systems for profit.
