Ultra-processed foods are damaging public health, fuelling chronic diseases globally and deepening health inequalities, according to a series from The Lancet on ultra-processed foods and human health.

The report Ultra-processed foods: time to put health before profit calls for immediate implementation of policies to “break the grip of the ultra-processed food industry on the food systems worldwide.”

It describes the ultra-processed food industry as being emblematic of a food system that is increasingly controlled by transnational corporations that prioritise corporate profit ahead of public health.

As well as engineering foods to be tasty and addictive – using cheap ingredients such as maize and palm oil – the ultra-processed food industry markets them aggressively at children, is sophisticated at lobbying governments and is successfully manipulating food policy.

The industry is damaging human health and the environment, due to the industrial production, processing, plastic packaging and use of fossil fuels.

In many high-income countries, ultra-processed foods comprise about 50 per cent of household food intake and consumption is rising quickly in low and middle-income countries and communities.

The Lancet calls for a comprehensive, government-led approach. Priority actions include adding ultra-processed markers such as colours, flavours and non-sugar sweeteners to nutrient profiling models used to identify unhealthy foods; mandatory front-of-pack warning labels; bans on marketing aimed at children; restrictions on these foods in public institutions and higher taxes.

There should also be stronger competition policy in the industry and self-regulation should be replaced by mandatory regulation, combating corporate interference.

Since ultra-processed foods are cheaper than whole foods and quick to prepare, the report warns that the transition must not result in food scarcity for those facing economic hardship – this could potentially be offset by taxation. And it must not deepen gender inequities in cooking duties.

This issue was discussed in a UK parliamentary debate on obesity when expert witnesses said the food industry must be shut out of the room when policy is made. The issue should be treated like tobacco with progressive taxation, strict marketing restrictions, restriction of unhealthy foods at school and the promotion of healthy foods.

Author and broadcaster, Professor Chris van Tullekan, said tackling this issue won’t shrink the economy because obesity and ill health is already doing just that.