Expert Commentary from Trish Cotter, Global Lead, Food Policy Program at Vital Strategies on the risks of Ultra Process Foods
In this expert commentary for BMJ, Trish Cotter provides important insights on the importance of how best to communicate with the public to build support for regulating ultra-processed foods.
Ultra-processed foods pose well-established health risks, yet consumers remain largely uninformed about the dangers. According to Cotter, “It’s high time that consumers had the opportunity to see ultra-processed foods for what they are: foods that are not real foods, containing nutrients that are not real nutrition, pervasively marketed by transnational corporations offering choices that are not real choices.”
To reduce harm, governments must take action through public education campaigns clearly articulating that diets high in ultra-processed items are hazardous. One approach is to introduce front-of-package warning labels specifically identifying ultra-processed foods that can provide crucial information at the point of purchase. Moreover, aggressive awareness campaigns akin to those exposing tobacco’s harms could quickly raise public consciousness about the looming threat of these products to consumers’ well-being. Bold measures are needed to increase transparency and enable healthier choices.