Ultra-Processed Foods Should Face Tobacco-Style Controls, Researchers Say

Ultra-processed foods should be regulated like cigarettes because they are engineered to drive addiction and overconsumption, a new study argues.
Researchers from Harvard University, the University of Michigan and Duke University said UPFs share key traits with tobacco products.
They found both are designed to deliver rapid reward responses and maximise consumption.
The report, published in Milbank Quarterly, links UPFs to widespread health harms similar to smoking.
Researchers criticised “health washing” claims that delay regulation.
They urged governments to shift responsibility from individuals to the food industry.
Some experts cautioned against direct comparisons but agreed stronger regulation is needed.