Published study in Milbank Quarterly: Ultra-processed foods should be regulated similarly to tobacco.

A report published in the Milbank Quarterly by researchers from Harvard, the University of Michigan, and Duke University compares ultra-processed foods (UPF) to cigarettes, arguing that both are designed to encourage addiction.

UPFs, such as sugary drinks and chips, contain additives that stimulate excessive consumption. The study emphasizes that the production process of these foods resembles that of cigarettes, and their marketing manipulates consumers through misleading labels. Researchers are calling for strict regulations, inspired by tobacco control measures, to reduce the negative impact on public health. Although some experts believe the parallel is exaggerated, the authors of the report stress that responsibility must return to the food industry, not just consumers.