Latest from Food Politics: San Francisco's lawsuit against food companies

San Francisco’s city attorney has sued major food companies for marketing ultra-processed foods (UPF) that make people sick. The lawsuit: COMPLAINT FOR: VIOLATION OF CALIFORNIA UNFAIR COMPETITION LAW AND PUBLIC NUISANCE The arguments I. UPF are ...

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By Marion Nestle December 10 2025 San Francisco’s lawsuit against food companies San Francisco’s city attorney has sued major food companies for marketing ultra-processed foods (UPF) that make people sick. The lawsuit: COMPLAINT FOR: VIOLATION OF CALIFORNIA UNFAIR COMPETITION LAW AND PUBLIC NUISANCE The arguments I. UPF are dangerous: “No reason exists to believe that humans can fully adapt to these products.” II.  UPF-like tobacco and illegal drugs–are addictive. UPF cause compulsive use in the same ways as other addictive substances UPF are psychoactive substances UPF are reinforcing III. Defendants designed UPF to be addictive to drive sales and profits. IV. Defendants have created a public health crisis, especially for children. V.  Defendants have deliberately targeted kids (harmful dyes, aggressive marketing, disproportionate targeting). VI.  Defendants actively conceal the dangers of UPF. VII.  UPF have contributed to a public health crisis in San Francisco. This one will be fun to watch, Resources Press conference: City attorney announces legal action State of California complaint San Francisco City Attorney’s Office: Chiu sues largest manufacturers of ultraprocessed foods New York Times: San Francisco will sue ultraprocessed food companies Civil Eats: MAHA figure touts San Francisco laawsuit against food companies The post San Francisco’s lawsuit against food companies appeared first on Food Politics by Marion Nestle      Related Posts Out today: The Lancet series on ultra-processed foods New terms in nutritional vocabulary: dark matter and foodomics California defines ultra-processed foods and bans them from school meals—by 2035 (!)   Now Available: What to Eat Now My new book, What to Eat Now, is officially out! It's both a field guide to food shopping in America and a reflection on how to eat well—and deliciously. For more information and to order, click here. You can explore the full archive of this (almost) daily blog at foodpolitics.com, where you'll also find information about my books, articles, media interviews, upcoming lectures, favorite resources, and FAQs. Visit the Site » ​​​​​​​ Marion Nestle Paulette Goddard Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University, Emerita © Marion Nestle. You're receiving this email because you've signed up to receive updates from us. If you'd prefer not to receive updates, you can unsubscribe. Safely Unsubscribe • Archives • Preferences • Contact • Subscribe • Privacy

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