San Francisco has filed a lawsuit against major food companies, including Kraft Heinz and Nestle, arguing that ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are dominating the American diet and contributing to chronic diseases. UPFs, which are made from refined ingredients and additives, make up about 70 percent of the food supply and are heavily marketed in low-income and minority communities where diet-related diseases are prevalent. The lawsuit challenges the assumption that consumers have meaningful choice in a food system where UPFs are cheaper, more visible, and more plentiful than fresh, whole foods.

The lawsuit highlights the systemic issues that have led to the dominance of UPFs, including uneven access to affordable fresh foods in low-income neighborhoods and the lack of regulation around processed products. The case brings attention to the need for healthier options to be more accessible and affordable in order to combat the health impacts of UPFs and address the structural issues of the American food system.