Junk food should also have warnings like cigarettes, why are experts suggesting this?

In view of the serious health hazards posed by consumption of ultra-processed foods (junk food), a renowned medical expert has demanded that warning labels should be put on these products like cigarettes.

Given the serious health hazards posed by consuming ultra-processed food (junk food), a renowned medical expert has demanded that warning labels should be put on these products just like cigarettes. Professor Carlos Monteiro of the University of Sao Paulo has also recommended that such foods should be taxed heavily and the money collected from this tax should be used to subsidise fresh fruits and vegetables. Professor Monteiro is the coiner of the term 'ultra-processed food'.

Ultra-processed foods are highly modified and usually contain large amounts of salt, sugar, fat and industrial chemicals. Such foods include packaged chips, cakes, sweet cereals, bakery products, cold drinks, bacon, chicken nuggets, hotdogs, frozen pizza, etc. These ultra-processed foods are rich in additives such as oil, fat, sugar, starch, protein and sodium.

Ahead of the conference in Sao Paulo, Monteiro told the Guardian that ultra-processed foods are increasing their share and dominating the global diet, even though they increase the risk of many chronic diseases. “Ultra-processed foods are replacing healthier, less processed foods worldwide, while also worsening the quality of diets due to their many harmful properties,” he said. Together, these foods are fuelling an epidemic of obesity and other diet-related serious diseases such as diabetes.

A global review published in January this year found that ultra-processed foods are directly linked to 32 harmful effects on health, including heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, adverse effects on mental health and a higher risk of premature death. Monteiro told the media that the concern now is about the impact of ultra-processed foods on human health and that studies and reviews are no longer enough to warn people about the health risks. He said a public health campaign is needed to prevent the dangers of ultra-processed foods, just like the campaign against tobacco. Such campaigns will include the health risks caused by consuming ultra-processed foods.