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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science
Andrew Gregory Health editor

Addiction to ultra-processed food affects 14% of adults globally, experts say

A supermarket shelf containing fizzy drinks
Recent studies have linked UPFs including fizzy drinks to poor health. Photograph: Rene van den Berg/Alamy

One in seven adults and one in eight children may be hooked on ultra-processed foods (UPFs), experts have said, prompting calls for some products to be labelled as addictive.

Recent studies have linked UPFs such as ice-cream, fizzy drinks and ready meals to poor health, including an increased risk of cancer, weight gain and heart disease. Global consumption of the products is soaring and UPFs now make up more than half the average diet in the UK and US.

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