Ultra-Processed Foods Lawsuit

Ultra-processed foods lawsuits allege that companies formulated their products to be addictive and marketed them to children. Now, many young people are being diagnosed with serious health conditions like type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. See if we may be able to help you seek compensation from an ultra-processed food lawsuit.

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Why Take Legal Action?

By filing a product liability lawsuit, you can pursue financial compensation and justice from the companies that caused you or a loved one harm.

Results Secured

$40 million for a veteran exposed to asbestos from Goodyear gaskets
$1.16 million for a Roundup^® victim in New York
$575,000 for a man in Florida who suffered chemical burns from Just for Men^® hair dye

Fact-Checked and Legally Reviewed by: Rae Theodore

Last updated: Mar 28, 2025

Understanding Ultra-Processed Foods Lawsuits

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have added ingredients that make them low in nutrition and high in calories. They may contain preservatives, additives, and unhealthy fats that extend shelf life in grocery stores but cause health problems.

Examples of ultra-processed foods include soft drinks, frozen meals, fast food, and cereals. About 58% of calories consumed by Americans come from UPFs, according to a study published in The BMJ.

Ultra-processed foods lawsuits allege that manufacturers:

Engineered their products to be addictive and overconsumed
Failed to warn of the health risks linked to UPFs
Marketed their products toward children using bright colors and cartoon characters
Copied Big Tobacco’s playbook by creating foods that trigger cravings and targeting vulnerable populations

Did you know?

In December 2024, a Pennsylvania man sued The Coca-Cola^® Company, Nestle USA^®, Kraft Heinz^® Company, and eight other major food companies, saying their UPFs caused him to develop type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by age 16.

By taking legal action, families can seek compensation for medical bills and other expenses related to a chronic health condition caused by UPFs. It’s also a way to hold food companies responsible for putting children at risk.

LawFirm.com works with personal injury lawyers who have secured over $9.8 billion for those harmed through no fault of their own. They never charge any upfront costs and can help families in all 50 states.

Get a free case review now to see if they may be able to pursue compensation and justice for you.

What Companies Make Ultra-Processed Foods?

Some of the largest food corporations in the world have been named in ultra-processed food lawsuits. These actions claim companies engineered their food products to be addictive using chemicals and additives while concealing the health risks.

UPF lawsuits have been filed against:

Coca-Cola Company
Conagra™
General Mills^®
Kellanova™
Kraft Heinz
Mars^®
Mondelez International^®
Nestle USA
PepsiCo^®
Post^® Foods
WK Kellogg^®

Ultra-processed foods manufactured by these companies include sodas, cereals, packaged snacks, and frozen meals.

Health Conditions Linked to Ultra-Processed Foods

Consumption of UPFs has been linked to several serious chronic diseases. Many U.S. food manufacturers knowingly design these foods to be addictive, making it harder for consumers — especially young children — to stop eating them.

Health issues linked to ultra-processed foods include:

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): Excess sugar and unhealthy fats in UPFs lead to fat buildup in the liver, causing inflammation, damage, and insulin resistance.
Type 2 diabetes (T2D): UPFs contribute to insulin resistance by spiking blood sugar levels. A 10% increase in UPF consumption raises the risk of diabetes by 12%, according to the National Library of Medicine.
Obesity: UPFs are high in calories but low in nutrients, leading to weight gain in children and adults.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD): High sugar, trans fats, and sodium levels increase blood pressure, inflammation, and artery damage, possibly leading to heart disease and stroke.

Many UPFs are formulated to be hard to resist, which can also lead to food addiction. By stimulating the brain’s reward system, they can trigger cravings similar to tobacco and drugs.

“The UPF industry is well aware of the harms they are causing and has known it for decades. But they continue to inflict massive harm on society in a reckless pursuit of profits.”

– Complaint in Martinez v. Kraft Heinz Company, Inc. et al.

Eligibility to File an Ultra-Processed Food Lawsuit

Ultra-processed food lawsuits claim major food corporations aggressively marketed their products to vulnerable populations, including children, minorities, and low-income communities.

You may be able to file an ultra-processed foods lawsuit if you or your child:

Regularly consumed ultra-processed foods like sodas, packaged snacks, and fast food
Was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease before the age of 18

Victims only have a limited amount of time to pursue compensation from an ultra-processed food claim due to laws called statutes of limitations. Deadlines vary by state, but once your window of opportunity closes, you won’t be able to take legal action again.

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or chat with a case manager to find out if you may be able to file an ultra-processed food lawsuit.

Steps to Seeking an Ultra-Processed Food Lawsuit Settlement

The dangerous product lawyers that LawFirm.com works with can handle all aspects of an ultra-processed food lawsuit, so you can focus on your health and well-being.

The steps to seek compensation through UPF lawsuits include:

Contacting LawFirm.com: Our case managers can provide a free case review, allowing you to find out about your legal options and connect with a top lawyer if you have a case.
Collecting evidence: Your legal team will gather evidence linking your illness to ultra-processed foods and determining their long-term impact. Evidence may include your medical records and food industry documents.
Filing your UPF claim: Your legal team will file your product liability lawsuit before any legal deadlines against the companies responsible for making you sick.
Negotiating UPF settlements: Most dangerous product lawsuits end in out-of-court settlements, but your attorney can fight for compensation from a trial verdict if a settlement isn’t reached.

Ultra-processed food lawsuit payouts may vary based on factors like the severity of your illness, amount of medical expenses, and the long-term impact of your disease.

However, by working with an experienced UPF lawyer, you can improve your chances of securing the compensation you deserve as quickly as possible.

Get Help From an Ultra-Processed Foods Lawyer

Consumers trust that the foods they buy are safe and that any potential hazards have been disclosed. When companies act in a way that puts Americans at risk, they can be held financially responsible.

LawFirm.com has partnered with personal injury lawyers who have the experience and resources to stand up to powerful food corporations and level the playing field for everyday people.

Our legal partners:

Can help families in all 50 states
Have recovered over $9.8 billion for victims of injustice nationwide
Never charge any upfront costs or hourly fees

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or get a free case review to see if a UPF attorney may be able to fight for you.

Lawsuit for Ultra-Processed Foods FAQs

What’s the ultra-processed foods lawsuit?

Ultra-processed food lawsuits allege that manufacturers knowingly designed and marketed foods high in artificial sweeteners, unhealthy fats, and additives without adequately warning consumers about the potential health consequences.

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) include sugary cereals, sodas, frozen meals, and packaged snacks. Unlike whole foods, they are heavily modified and have been linked to chronic illnesses such as type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Those diagnosed before age 18 may be eligible for compensation. See if you may qualify with a free case review.

Is there an ultra-processed foods class action lawsuit?

As of March 2025, no ultra-processed food class action lawsuit has been formed, but those affected may be able to file an individual claim for compensation.

The first ultra-processed foods lawsuit was filed by a Pennsylvania man in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas. The claim seeks over $50,000 in compensatory and punitive damages.

Taking legal action can hold negligent companies accountable while seeking compensation for medical bills and the long-term health impacts related to the consumption of ultra-processed foods.

How much does it cost to file an ultra-processed food lawsuit?

Product liability lawyers typically offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs or hourly fees. Instead, you only pay if your attorney recovers money for you.