Childhood Diabetes Lawsuits Against Processed Food Manufacturers

Families across the U.S. are filing lawsuits against the food industry, alleging that companies intentionally manufactured ultra-processed foods with artificial additives, preservatives, and chemically modified ingredients that are addictive and harmful for children.

Ultra-processed foods include a wide-range of popular products, such as sugary cereals, packaged snack foods, frozen meals, and soda. Following aggressive promotion by manufacturers, these products have rapidly come to dominate grocery store shelves and are now a staple in many households across the country.

Despite the poor nutrient composition and addictive qualities, the food industry has aggressively targeted children with these highly processed foods, through advertising strategies that feature toys, cartoon characters, and child-focused branding.

There is now a growing body of evidence that establishes food manufacturers knew or should have known that children who routinely consume ultra-processed foods face an increased risk of developing a number of chronic health problems and long-term side effects, including:

• Type II diabetes
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
• Cardiovascular disease
• Hypertension
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Obesity
• Colorectal cancer
• Breast cancer
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Other chronic health issues

Companies Named in Ultra-Processed Food Lawsuits

Ultra-processed foods lawsuits are being pursued against a number of major corporations, who have made false and misleading statements about the safety of their products, including:

• Kraft Heinz Company, Inc.
• Mondelēz International, Inc.
• The Coca-Cola Company
• PepsiCo, Inc.
• General Mills, Inc.
• Nestlé USA, Inc.
• Kellogg’s
• Mars Incorporated, Inc.
• Conagra Brands, Inc.
• Post Holdings, Inc.

Families throughout the U.S. may be entitled to processed food settlement benefits as a result of the fraudulent misrepresentation and unfair business practices employed by these food and beverage makers, which have caused a generation of children to now face an increased risk of childhood diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and other chronic diseases.

Who is Eligible for a Processed Food Lawsuit?

Financial compensation may be available through an ultra-processed foods lawsuit for individuals who meet the following criteria:

(1) Routinely consumed ultra-processed foods as children; and

(2) Diagnosed under the age of 18 with either:

• Type II Diabetes, or
• Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Ultra-processed food lawyers are actively investigating new childhood diabetes and fatty liver disease lawsuits for families throughout the United States, and claims are being pursued on a contingency fee basis..

To determine if you or a loved one qualify for an ultra-processed foods lawsuit settlement, submit information for review by a processed food injury lawyer, who will evaluate the circumstances of your potential claim. There are no fees or expenses paid unless a settlement or lawsuit payout is received.

Understanding Ultra-Processed Foods

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) include a wide-variety of products that contain industrial formulations of ingredients that go through extensive processing. Unlike whole or minimally processed foods, UPFs are engineered to be convenient, shelf-stable, and more palatable. However, they often lack nutritional value and may cause long-term health risks for children.

Characteristics of Ultra-Processed Foods

Ultra-processed foods are characterized by extensive industrial processing and the inclusion of artificial ingredients not typically found in home cooking. While designed for convenience, these foods often lack substantial nutritional value.

Examples of Ultra-Processed Foods

• Packaged Snacks: Many packaged snack foods such as chips, crackers, pretzels, and popcorn contain artificial flavors or additives.
• Sugary Beverages: Sodas, energy drinks, flavored teas, and sweetened fruit juices.
• Fast Food Items: Burgers, fries, chicken nuggets, and other heavily processed menu options.
• Frozen or Ready-to-Eat Meals: Frozen pizzas, microwaveable dinners, and pre-packaged entrees.
• Sweetened Breakfast Items: Sugar-loaded cereals, cereal bars, and flavored oatmeal packets.
• Candy and Desserts: Chocolate bars, gummies, pastries, ice cream, and packaged cakes.

Defining Features of Ultra-Processed Foods

• Contain high levels of added sugars, unhealthy fats, and sodium, which contribute to obesity and chronic health conditions.
• Use artificial additives like preservatives, flavor enhancers, emulsifiers, and food colorings to enhance taste and texture artificially.
• Feature long ingredient lists filled with chemical compounds aimed at improving shelf life and palatability rather than providing nutritional value.
• Are calorie-dense but lack essential nutrients, leaving consumers with empty calories instead of nourishment.

The Addictive Nature of Ultra-Processed Foods

Children are especially vulnerable to the negative health effects of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). These highly processed products disrupt physical development, interfere with biological systems, and create lasting dietary dependencies that increases the risk of chronic illnesses.

The Immediate Impact of Ultra-Processed Foods on Kids’ Health

• Spike Blood Sugar Levels: UPFs are loaded with refined carbs and sugars, leading to frequent blood sugar spikes, insulin resistance, and an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes.
• Disrupt Gut Health: Additives like preservatives and stabilizers alter gut microbiota, triggering chronic inflammation linked to obesity and other metabolic issues.
• Interfere with Hormones: Artificial dyes, sweeteners, and additives can disrupt hormonal balance, affecting growth, metabolism, and appetite regulation.
• Cause Nutritional Deficiencies: By replacing nutrient-dense whole foods, UPFs deprive children of essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber critical for healthy development.

The Long-Term Dangers of Early UPF Consumption

Introducing ultra-processed foods during childhood can have compounding effects on long-term health:

• Encourages Food Addiction: Early exposure to UPFs conditions children to favor overly processed, nutrient-poor foods, displacing healthier options and creating lifelong unhealthy eating habits.
• Accelerates Health Issues: Regular consumption increases the risk of developing chronic conditions like obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) at an earlier age.
• Increases Lifelong Health Problems: Prolonged exposure to poor-quality nutrition and harmful additives amplifies the risk of chronic diseases, leading to a cumulative decline in overall health.

How Children Are Targeted Through Food Marketing

Major food companies have employed aggressive and calculated strategies to target children, making ultra-processed foods (UPFs) not only appealing but also habit-forming. These tactics are designed to build brand loyalty from a young age, ensuring lifelong consumers.

Lawsuits claim these companies have intentionally focused their marketing efforts on children, leveraging psychological and sensory triggers to encourage overconsumption, including:

• Bright and eye-catching packaging: Designed to capture children’s attention, packaging often features vibrant colors, playful fonts, and exciting visuals to stand out on store shelves.
• Cartoon characters and mascots: Iconic characters and animated mascots are prominently displayed to create emotional connections and increase brand recognition among young audiences.
• Toys and promotions: Free toys and branded merchandise, often tied to popular movies, TV shows, or games, are included with products to entice children and foster excitement around the brand.
• Child-focused flavors: Products are crafted with overly sweet, salty, or artificially enhanced flavors to appeal to children’s taste preferences, ensuring repeated purchases.

Lawsuits claim companies strategically promote UPFs in places frequented by children, such as schools, sports events, and online platforms.

These tactics not only normalize UPF consumption but also replace healthier food options, contributing to rising rates of childhood obesity, Type II diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Ultra-Processed Foods and Childhood Diabetes Risks

There is substantial evidence establishing that ultra-processed foods (UPFs) increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, due to the high levels of added sugars and refined carbohydrates, which disrupt the body’s natural ability to regulate glucose over time.

How UPFs Contribute to Type 2 Diabetes

UPFs are loaded with sugars and fast-digesting carbohydrates that cause frequent spikes in blood sugar levels. This constant strain forces the pancreas to overproduce insulin, eventually leading to insulin resistance, which is a key driver of Type 2 diabetes.

Over time, this process damages the body’s glucose regulation, significantly increasing diabetes risk.

Processed Foods Increase Type II Diabetes Risk

A study published in Diabetes Care found that a 10% increase in UPF consumption was associated with a 12% higher risk of Type 2 diabetes, underscoring the direct relationship between these foods and the disease.

A comprehensive meta-analysis published in Advances in Nutrition (January 2024) revealed that individuals with the highest UPF intake faced a:

• 37% greater risk of Type 2 diabetes
• 32% higher risk of hypertension
• 47% increased likelihood of hypertriglyceridemia
• 43% increased risk of low HDL cholesterol
• 32% higher risk of obesity

UPFs and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Regular consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has also been closely linked to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

How UPFs Contribute to NAFLD

UPFs often contain excessive amounts of fructose, unhealthy fats, and artificial additives. These ingredients promote fat buildup in liver cells and cause chronic inflammation, which damages liver function.

Over time, this can progress into NAFLD, a condition that, if left untreated, may lead to severe liver complications, including cirrhosis.

Study Links UPFs to Increased Fatty Liver Disease

In 2023, a study published in Hepatology Communications found a significant association between high consumption of UPF and NAFLD. Key findings include:

• Adolescents: Those with the highest UPF intake were 2.34 times more likely to develop NAFLD compared to those with the lowest intake.
• Adults: High UPF consumers were 1.72 times more likely to develop NAFLD than low UPF consumers.
• Liver Stress Indicators: Elevated levels of C-reactive protein and lower serum albumin were observed in participants with higher UPF consumption, signaling inflammation and liver stress.

Other Ultra-Processed Foods Side Effects

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have been associated with a range of chronic health conditions beyond Type II diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, including:

• Hypertension: Excessive sodium and low potassium levels in UPFs create an imbalance that increases blood pressure, placing additional strain on the cardiovascular system.
• Obesity: The calorie-dense, nutrient-poor nature of UPFs encourages overeating by disrupting appetite regulation, while their addictive mix of sugar, fat, and salt promotes weight gain.
• Cancer: Harmful additives and processing by-products, such as acrylamide, can disrupt cellular processes and hormonal balance, increasing the risk of cancer.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Low fiber content and artificial additives in UPFs disrupt gut microbiota, increase gut permeability, and cause chronic inflammation, which contribute to IBS.

Study Links Ultra-Processed Foods to Increased Childhood Obesity

According to a study published in JAMA on January 31, researchers found that high consumption of ultraprocessed foods (UPF) during early childhood is associated with increased obesity development, particularly in males.

Key findings on obesity risks among Canadian children from the study:

• BMI Increase: Boys who consumed more ultraprocessed foods saw their body mass index (BMI) increase by about 8% for every 10% increase in UPF intake.
• Waist and Skinfold Thickness: These boys also had a 7% increase in waist-to-height ratio and up to a 12% increase in skinfold thickness with every 10% increase in UPF intake.
• Higher Risk of Being Overweight or Obese: Boys with higher UPF intake were 19% more likely to be overweight or obese compared to those who consumed less.

Obesity in children is a significant precursor for Type II diabetes, as excessive body weight often leads to insulin resistance, increasing the risk of developing this chronic condition during childhood.

Ultra-Processed Foods Lawsuits

Individuals are filing lawsuits against major food and beverage companies, alleging that these manufacturers knowingly jeopardized public health by producing and marketing ultra-processed foods (UPFs) linked to serious health risks. These claims focus on the connection between UPFs and chronic conditions like Type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.

The lawsuits argue that, like the tobacco industry, food companies prioritized profits over safety by concealing known health risks and using deceptive marketing to drive consumption. UPFs are alleged to have been deliberately engineered with excessive sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats to make them addictive, fostering dependency and encouraging overconsumption despite their harmful health effects.

Additionally, the lawsuits claim that manufacturers used fraudulent and deceptive marketing tactics to target children, leveraging cartoon characters, toys, and media tie-ins to appeal to vulnerable populations and secure lifelong consumers.

Contact an Ultra-Processed Foods Injury Lawyer

Attorneys are offering free consultations and claim evaluations for individuals who consumed ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and subsequently developed Type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity, or other serious health conditions.

Lawyers handle all UPF lawsuits on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no fees or expenses unless a settlement or lawsuit payout is obtained on your behalf.

How to File an Ultra-Processed Foods Lawsuit

To find out if you or a loved one may be eligible for a lawsuit settlement related to ultra-processed foods, submit your claim information for a free evaluation. Attorneys will review your case to determine if compensation may be available for your injuries.

With no upfront fees or costs, you can seek justice and hold food manufacturers accountable for prioritizing profits over public health.