Industry stands its ground against San Francisco's UPF lawsuit.

The Consumer Brands Association (CBA) has stepped forward to defend food and beverage manufacturers after San Francisco launched legal action targeting ultra-processed foods (UPFs).

San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu announced the lawsuit this week against 11 major packaged food and beverage companies. The list includes US giants like Kraft Heinz, Mondelez International, Mars, General Mills, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Post Holdings, WK Kellogg, Kellanova, and Conagra Brands, as well as Swiss multinational Nestl.

The complaint, filed in the San Francisco Superior Court on behalf of the People of California, accuses these companies of engaging in unfair and deceptive practices in marketing and selling UPFs. According to the lawsuit, these actions allegedly violate Californias Unfair Competition Law and public nuisance statutes. The suit demands the companies take collective action to mitigate the negative effects of their products and seeks restitution and civil penalties to help offset the healthcare costs linked to UPF consumption.

At the time of reporting, none of the targeted companies had provided a public response to the lawsuit.

In reply, the CBA issued a statement highlighting ongoing reformulation efforts by manufacturers, emphasizing the difficulties in categorizing UPFs. The organization noted that many companies are actively working to improve nutrition by increasing protein and fiber content, lowering sugar and sodium levels, and removing synthetic colorings from products.

Sarah Gallo, Senior Vice President of Product Policy at CBA, emphasized the complexity of defining ultra-processed foods and cautioned against labeling foods unhealthy solely due to processing. She stressed that companies adhere to FDA standards and provide products that are safe, affordable, and convenient, allowing consumers to make informed dietary choices.

Chiu criticized the industry, arguing that manufacturers have designed and marketed addictive UPFs to maximize profits, contributing to a public health crisis. According to the city attorney, UPFs surged in prevalence during the 1980s and 1990s and now account for roughly 70% of the US food supply.

San Franciscos Director of Health, Daniel Tsai, described the lawsuit as essential for protecting public health, noting that ultra-processed foods disproportionately affect low-income communities and communities of color while driving higher rates of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

Author: Aiden Foster