Study: Ultra-Processed Foods Increase Risk of Early Death

APR 28 2025·Updated APR 29 2025

Story

Above: A photo illustration of 'Ultra Processed' foods on Feb. 16, 2018 in London, England. Image credit: Dan Kitwood/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images

The Facts

A study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that a 10% increase in ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption raises the risk of premature death by 3%. This is associated with an estimated 124,000 early deaths in the US and nearly 18,000 in the UK in 2018-2019.
Guardian
PA Media
Ajpmonline
A comprehensive study analyzing data from eight countries (Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, the U.K., and the U.S.) found that UPFs account for 53.4% of total caloric intake in England, second only to the U.S. at 54.5%, highlighting the widespread consumption of these industrially manufactured products.
CNN
Daily Mail
Ultra-processed foods are defined as ready-to-eat industrial formulations made with ingredients extracted from foods or synthesized in laboratories, containing additives such as preservatives, emulsifiers, sweeteners, and artificial colors and flavors.
Mirage News
Daijiworld.com
The burden of UPF-related mortality varies significantly across countries, ranging from 4% of premature deaths in Colombia to 14% in high-consumption nations like the US and the UK.
CNN
Guardian
High consumption of UPFs has been associated with 32 different diseases, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, certain cancers, and depression, according to the research findings.
Mirage News
GB News
While UPF consumption has stabilized in high-income countries, it continues to rise in low- and middle-income nations, prompting researchers to call for urgent global policy interventions to address this growing public health crisis.
UPI
Daijiworld.com

Sources Split

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The Spin

Narrative A

The evidence clearly demonstrates that ultra-processed foods pose a significant public health threat through their artificial ingredients and industrial processing methods, necessitating immediate government intervention through taxation, marketing restrictions, and stronger regulations to protect public health.

EurekAlert!

Guardian

Narrative B

The relationship between UPFs and mortality remains correlational rather than causal, and the Nova classification system has limitations including arbitrary definitions and overly broad food categories. More research on this important topic is urgently needed.