WHO Exposes Food Giants' Tactics Behind Global Obesity Scandal

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has accused the world’s largest ultra-processed food (UPF) companies of hindering government efforts to address the obesity crisis. These allegations emerged following revelations that numerous companies are suing nations that implement policies to promote healthier diets.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that these lawsuits not only slow down the implementation of public health policies but also burden countries with legal and healthcare costs amounting to billions of dollars. “The results of this investigation are not surprising. When profits and negative impacts stem from the same products, the pattern of industry intervention re-emerges: creating doubt and obstructing regulation,” said Tedsem, as reported by The Guardian.

The WHO noted that nearly 1 billion people worldwide were living with obesity in 2024, with unhealthy diets being a primary cause of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. Meanwhile, the consumption of ultra-processed foods continues to rise, now accounting for approximately half of the average diet in several countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia.

As the health and economic impacts of obesity increase, many governments have begun implementing policies to limit the consumption of unhealthy foods. These measures include mandatory warning labels on packaging, restrictions on unhealthy food advertising, and taxes on fast food and junk food products.

However, an investigation by The Guardian, alongside academics, Lighthouse Reports, and several international media outlets, found that large corporations are suing governments to cancel, weaken, or delay these policies. Between 2010 and 2025, there were 235 recorded lawsuits against health policies targeting ultra-processed foods in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

According to Tedros, approximately three-quarters of the decided lawsuits were ultimately won by governments. Nevertheless, the lengthy legal processes cause policy implementation to be delayed for years and drain government resources. The WHO believes the goal of these lawsuits is not merely to win in court, but to delay the creation of new regulations and discourage other nations from adopting similar policies.

“This report shows that litigation is being used to oppose or weaken health policies related to obesity and unhealthy diets. The total accumulated legal process reaches nearly 600 years, with an average of 2.5 years per case, and most end in defeat for the companies,” said Tedros.

“These delays burden countries with billions of dollars in health and legal costs and create a regulatory deterrent that makes governments hesitant to adopt essential public health protections,” he continued.

In the first cross-country analysis of this issue, researchers from the Robert and Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Centre, the University of Sydney, the University of São Paulo, and the University of Caldas found that the most frequently challenged policies were food product labelling, followed by unhealthy food taxes and marketing restrictions.

Three-quarters of the lawsuits were filed directly by ultra-processed food companies or the industry associations representing them. Furthermore, several multinational companies were reported to have requested that their identities remain anonymous during the legal proceedings.

Of the lawsuits where the plaintiffs’ identities were known, approximately 38% originated from eight parent companies: Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Mondelēz, Kellogg’s, Danone, Ferrero, Xignux, and Heartland Food Products Group.

Tedros acknowledged that some companies have made efforts to make their products healthier. However, he maintained that such steps are insufficient if companies continue to sue government health policies.

“Those efforts are commendable, but they are not enough to address the scale of this global health crisis. If they truly want to be part of the solution, companies must also cease litigation and other tactics that drain government resources and hinder the protection of public health,” he asserted.

Tedros also highlighted that current ultra-processed food control policies are predominantly implemented in upper-middle and high-income countries. He noted that low- and middle-income countries also face an increasing burden of disease but possess more limited capacity to withstand legal challenges from large corporations.

He stated that stronger global action is required, as nearly one in seven people worldwide lived with obesity in 2024. The WHO is therefore urging governments to persist with the implementation of various public health policies despite facing legal pressure from the ultra-processed food industry.

“The momentum for change is growing, and the WHO will continue to support these efforts at every step,” Tedros concluded.