Processed foods need 'tobacco-style' warning and heavy tax, expert says

dailyrecord.co.uk:

An expert has called for a hefty tax on ultra-processed foods (UPFs), proposing that the revenue should be used to make fresh produce more affordable.The suggestion comes amid increasing demands for a ban on UPF advertisements and the introduction of tobacco-like warning labels on such products.UPFs, which include items like ready meals, fizzy drinks, ice cream, and processed meats, are often high in fat, saturated fat, and sugar but low in fibre, protein, and essential micronutrients.Professor Carlos Monteiro from the University of Sao Paulo is set to highlight the threat these foods pose to global health at the International Congress on Obesity in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

He advocates for a ban or severe restrictions on UPF advertising, alongside a substantial tax on these products."Sales of UPFs in schools and health facilities should be banned, and there should be heavy taxation of UPFs with the revenue generated used to subsidise fresh foods," Professor Monteiro stated.Furthermore, Prof Monteiro recommends public health campaigns to educate people about the risks of consuming too many UPFs, drawing parallels with anti-tobacco efforts."Both tobacco and UPFs cause numerous serious illnesses and premature mortality; both are produced by transnational corporations that invest the enormous profits they obtain with their attractive/addictive products in aggressive marketing strategies, and in lobbying against regulation; and both are pathogenic (dangerous) by design, so reformulation is not a solution," he concluded.However, medical professionals have argued that equating ultra-processed foods (UPFs) to tobacco or cigarettes is "very simplistic".