The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has accused major ultra-processed food (UPF) corporations of obstructing global efforts to combat obesity by pursuing legal action against governments implementing health-focused regulations. Between 2010 and 2025, these companies filed 235 lawsuits challenging policies aimed at promoting healthier diets, the WHO chief stated.
While many of these corporations publicly endorse initiatives to address obesity, the volume of legal disputes suggests a more complex dynamic. These lawsuits have targeted a range of government measures, including taxes on sugary drinks, restrictions on advertising unhealthy food to children, mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labeling, and limits on the availability of certain high-calorie products.
The WHO head argued that such litigation imposes financial and administrative burdens on governments, potentially deterring them from pursuing stricter regulations designed to improve public health. “Despite professed support for tackling obesity, the actions of these corporations reveal a pattern of resistance to meaningful change,” the official said.
Ultra-processed foods, which include items high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, have been linked to increasing rates of obesity and related health conditions worldwide. Governments have increasingly sought to implement policies targeting these products in response to rising healthcare costs and growing concerns over population health.
Critics of the legal actions contend they reflect corporate attempts to protect market share and profits at the expense of public well-being. However, representatives of some food industry groups argue that litigation is a legitimate means of contesting regulations they believe are overly burdensome, inconsistently applied, or insufficiently evidence-based.
The WHO has called on governments to strengthen regulatory frameworks and international cooperation to withstand such legal challenges and accelerate the adoption of policies that promote healthier food environments. The agency has also emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in corporate conduct as part of broader efforts to reduce obesity rates globally.
As obesity continues to pose a significant global health threat, the tension between public health objectives and corporate interests remains a critical factor shaping the policy landscape in many countries.