Bold claim: San Francisco has launched a landmark lawsuit against ten major food manufacturers, accusing them of selling ultra-processed foods known to drive serious health problems. The city contends that the industry’s tactics resemble those of the tobacco sector, arguing that local governments shouldered the rising costs of public health care as a result.
The defendants—names like Kraft Heinz, Mondelez, and Coca-Cola among others—are alleged to have deliberately marketed addictive, unhealthy products in violation of California public nuisance and unfair competition laws. The companies named in the complaint reportedly did not respond to requests for comment.
The products at issue span cookies, sweets, cereals, and granola bars. San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu stated that these firms “engineered a public health crisis, profited handsomely, and now must take responsibility for the harm caused.”
Industry response came from Sarah Gallo, senior vice president of product policy at the Consumer Brands Association. She argued that there is no universally agreed scientific definition of ultra-processed foods. She warned that labeling foods as unhealthy solely because they are processed or ignoring a food’s full nutrient profile can mislead consumers and worsen health disparities. She also highlighted ongoing product reforms, noting manufacturers are introducing items with more protein and fiber, less sugar and sodium, and without synthetic color additives.
The lawsuit, filed in San Francisco Superior Court, is among the first of its kind to target the marketing of ultra-processed foods. It claims that the wider availability of these products has aligned with rising rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancers, and other chronic illnesses. The filing describes the issue as involving foods with “hidden health harms” and seeks monetary penalties along with a statewide injunction to curb what it calls deceptive marketing.
Political and policy context adds complexity to the case. Some left-leaning officials and aspects of the Trump administration have signaled concern about ultra-processed foods, though views diverge on other health policy matters. Health leaders have advocated for removing certain additives from foods and reducing reliance on artificial ingredients; discussions have included calls to replace high-fructose corn syrup, seed oils, and artificial dyes from products.
In related developments, Coca-Cola announced a move to reintroduce real cane sugar in its U.S. beverages as part of ongoing product adjustments. San Francisco’s suit marks a high-profile government action against food manufacturers over marketing practices for ultra-processed foods. Separately, a Pennsylvania-based case alleging health harms from ultra-processed foods was dismissed by a judge earlier this year, a contrast that highlights ongoing debates over causation and accountability in this area.
