Junk Foods Need Health Warnings, Says Expert

Ultra-processed foods (UPF) are displacing healthy diets all over the world despite growing evidence of the risks they pose and should be sold with tobacco-style warnings, according to the nutritional scientist who coined the term.

- Andrew Gregory

Prof Carlos Monteiro, of the University of São Paulo, will highlight the increasing danger UPFS present to children and adults at the International Congress on Obesity.

"UPFS are increasing their share in and domination of global diets despite the risk they represent to health in terms of increasing the risk of multiple chronic diseases," Monteiro told the Guardian before the conference in São Paulo. "UPFS are displacing healthier, less processed foods all over the world, and causing a deterioration in diet quality due to their several harmful attributes. Together, these foods are driving the pandemic of obesity and other diet-related chronic diseases, such as diabetes."