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⚖️ BIG FOOD FACES FIRST-OF-A-KIND LAWSUIT OVER ULTRA-PROCESSED PRODUCTS The Coca-Cola Company, Nestlé, Kraft Heinz, Mondelēz International and seven other Big Food companies are facing a lawsuit for engineering ultra-processed foods (UPFs) to be as addictive as cigarettes. Filed by Bryce Martinez, an 18-year-old from Pennsylvania, the first-of-a-kind case alleges that by marketing these foods to kids, they have contributed to them developing chronic conditions. The 148-page document submitted to the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia County notes that Martinez was diagnosed with fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes when he was 16, after consuming “harmful levels” of UPFs from these companies. These conditions “did not exist in children” prior to the mainstreaming of these products, the lawsuit claims. The other Big Food companies named in the case are Mars, Kellanova, PepsiCo, Conagra Brands, WK Kellogg Co, Post Holdings, and General Mills. The lawsuit involves claims for conspiracy, negligence, fraudulent misrepresentation and unfair business practices, and seeks an unspecified amount of compensation and punitive damages, according to Reuters, which first reported on the lawsuit. “The story of ultra-processed foods is an egregious example of companies prioritizing profits over the health and safety of the people who buy their products. The consequences of these companies’ alleged actions have allegedly harmed thousands of children and families,” says Mike Morgan, partner at Morgan & Morgan, P.A., the law firm representing Martinez. “Executives at the defendant companies have allegedly known for at least a quarter-century that ultra-processed foods would contribute to illnesses in children, but these companies allegedly ignored the public health risks in pursuit of profits.” Learn more in the full article: https://lnkd.in/e6SBxxa4 #GreenQueen #health #nutrition #ultraprocessedfood #futurefood #sustainability

A Pennsylvania teen is ⚖️🏛️ suing Coca-Cola and 10 other food companies, accusing them of creating addictive ultra-processed 🍩 foods, targeting children in their marketing, and contributing to chronic diseases in kids. What do you think? Annie --- Coca-Cola and 10 other major food companies are accused in a lawsuit from a Pennsylvania teenager of "engineering" ultra-processed products to be addictive, marketing the items towards children and allegedly causing chronic disease in kids. The big picture: Bryce Martinez alleges in the "first-of-its kind" lawsuit the actions of the firms that also include Kraft Heinz, Mars and PepsiCo "caused him to develop Type 2 Diabetes and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by age 16," per a statement from Morgan & Morgan, P.A., the major national personal injury attorneys representing the teen in the case. ...READ More... #Health #ChildHealth #ProcessedFoods #CocaCola #Accountability #Lawsuit #MarketingEthics #KraftHeinz #PepsiCo Hon.

This case highlights the growing need for transparency in the food and beverage industry. Consumers want options that are not only honest and wholesome but also deliver real nutritional benefits without sacrificing taste. Air-dried fruits with no added sugar or preservatives are a great example—packed with natural flavor and nutrients while staying simple and sustainable. It’s a step forward for both healthier eating and a healthier planet.

🚨 FDA Moves to Ban Red Food Dye Linked to Behavioral Issues in Kids 🚨 No shock here 🫨... If you’ve ever given your kids Peeps or Pez, you know the chaos that follows 🤯 It turns out the red dye in these treats may be behind the behavior issues. The FDA is finally taking action to ban it, citing health risks to children 🙏 Is this the wake-up call we need for better food safety? #Thankyou #food #FDA #FoodSafety #Parenting #family #foodandbeverage #kids #cpgindustry #business #smallbusiness #economics #health #wellness #innovation #creativity #futurism #Socialmedia #startups

🚨 Major food companies, including Kraft Heinz and Coca-Cola, are facing a lawsuit, filed by a 16-year old Pennsylvania resident who developed type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; alleging that the companies deliberately engineered their "ultra-processed" products to be as addictive as possible, drawing from the "cigarette playbook" of tobacco giants. 🚬 Evidence has shown that highly processed foods are linked to a range of chronic health problems, with the lawsuit seeking compensatory and punitive damages for claims including conspiracy, negligence, and unfair business practices. Join our Wellbeing Collective: https://lnkd.in/e6iVpd25 Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, Healthy Home. Real wellness starts by understanding the source; food intolerance, chronic conditions, diabetes, anxiety, ADHD, auto-immune disease, etc. and how each of our indiviudally genetic makeups react to our surroundings. As employers where do you feel your responsibility lies with helping employees? At Apex Benefits Partners, we know we want to be an active part of the solution. Join us on the journey to better health!! #healthybody #healthymind #healthyhome #wellness #wellbeing #employeebenefits #benefits #diseasemanagement #chronicconditions #healthinsurance #insurance #employeeengagment #employeeretention #whoisyourbroker #clientscomefirst

🚨 ‘First-of-its-kind’ Lawsuit Alleges Addictive Ultraproccessed Foods Caused Teen’s Illnesses A teenager from Warrington, Pennsylvania, sued 11 Big Food manufacturers, alleging ultraprocessed foods (UPFs), engineered to be as addictive as cigarettes, caused him to develop fatty liver disease, Type 2 diabetes and other health problems. In a 148-page lawsuit, filed Tuesday in the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia County, Bryce Martinez, 18, alleges he’s the victim of a “predatory profiteering” scheme by Big Food that seeks to develop and market food to children that is harmful to health, without warning the public of the foods’ dangers. The lawsuit states that the diseases Martinez was diagnosed with “did not exist in children” before the development of ultraprocessed foods. The lawsuit presents evidence from scientific studies finding that childhood diseases such as obesity skyrocketed with the advent and wide availability of such foods. Calley Means, co-author of “Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health,” told The Defender, “More than 15% of teens have fatty liver disease and 38% have prediabetes. Almost 50% are overweight or obese.” He added: “This happened almost overnight because the processed food industry paid the media and regulators to promote deliberate lies about the impact of their ingredients on our health. “We don’t have a free market when it comes to food — we have a rigged market. Litigation like this is a great tool to rebalance the harm processed food makers have inflicted on American children.” READ MORE ⬇️    https://lnkd.in/eNpdGwU3 

The lawsuit addressing the marketing of ultra-processed foods to children could serve as a pivotal moment for the food marketing industry. While many forward-thinking brands have already taken steps toward more responsible practices, this case may act as a powerful catalyst for others to reevaluate their strategies. It's a reminder that ethical considerations must take center stage in shaping how brands connect with consumers—especially the most vulnerable. It’s time to lead with integrity. https://lnkd.in/eR_RtPsC #EthicalMarketing #FoodForThought #MarketingEthics #ResponsibleBranding #FoodMarketing

Is the food industry the new target of our public health crisis? Will we see more lawsuits like this one in PA as more and more critics question the the large amounts of ultra processed foods in our food supply chain, as well as a lack of regulatory oversight on what chemicals food manufacturers are using. It will be interesting to see if the Industry makes voluntary changes or do we see long drawn out legal battles that could lead to a 50 state master settlement much like 1999 with the tobacco industry. https://lnkd.in/evQ5nrR3

I admire the work of Dr. Lustig, which I was led to back in 2008, while I was a concerned public relations practitioner who then pursued education to became a public health practitioner focused on health policy. Always and in all ways careful to represent and relay truth and fact, one of my nicknames is Kristy 'Allegedly' Andre (if someone else is relaying information I interject 'allegedly' if what they are sharing is not proven, and I use the word frequently). So I appreciate this article - however I have never seen the word used this frequently and am curious how this lawsuit will fare... The more prominently promoted 'Father of Public Relations' is Edward Bernays. He "pioneered the application of psychology to craft campaigns aimed at persuading the public". One of his successful campaigns in the 1920s was getting women to smoke cigarettes (Lucky Strike). Another father or 'Founder of Modern Day Public Relations', although less so promoted as one, is Ivy Ledbetter Lee, who wrote a "Declaration of Principles,” published in 1905. In it he states that the public should receive “prompt and accurate information concerning subjects which it is of value and interest to the public to know about,” concerning businesses and public institutions. He recognized that better understanding and factual reporting would result in broader good will from the public, focused on open and honest dialogue with the public and the media, and offered assistance to any journalist to verify any statements of fact. In 1906 he brought reporters to the scene of a railroad accident, and issued a statement detailing the incident - that statement is considered the first Press Release - to this day (118 yrs later) the most widely used tool in the PR industry for "conveying announcements to the media". The foundational formal training of my career is based off of their techniques, strategies, frameworks. So I am well versed in what is possible based on the goals and objectives for a PR campaign, and based on the people involved in / contributing to the campaign. My commitment to exhausting due diligence in root cause analysis and adequately communicating findings - was a contributing factor to someone ultimately renaming their work from Myths and Deception in Health Research to Fraud and Deception. With that said, I'll read the lawsuit later, (I hope it's written adequately). For now, this is what I'm focused on from the article: "The defendants allegedly maximized their profits at the expense of the health of American children,” said Morgan & Morgan attorney Rene Rocha. “These companies allegedly use the tobacco industry’s playbook to target children, especially Black and Hispanic children, with integrated marketing tie-ins with cartoons, toys and games, along with social media advertising. Our goal is to hold these companies responsible for their alleged efforts to make ultra-processed foods as addictive as possible and get them into the hands of children.”"

BREAKING NEWS: The FDA has finally banned Red Dye No. 3 from our food supply, marking a long-overdue step toward protecting public health. While this is a critical win, let’s be clear—this is not something we should have to celebrate. Removing a cancer-causing additive from our food is not a milestone; it’s the bare minimum standard for safety that should never have been compromised in the first place. For over three decades, Red Dye No. 3 has been allowed to remain in countless food products, despite being banned from cosmetics since 1990 due to its cancer links. How did this happen? The answer lies in decades of lobbying by agribusiness giants that prioritized profit margins over consumer health. This isn’t just a regulatory lapse—it’s a systemic failure that underscores the dangers of corporate influence in public policy. To the tireless advocates, health professionals, and consumer organizations who refused to let this issue be ignored: this is your victory. Your dedication proves that advocacy matters and that persistence can drive change, even in the face of powerful opposition. This milestone should fuel our collective resolve to demand accountability, transparency, and stronger safeguards in our food system. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to build a food supply that prioritizes people over profits, safety over shortcuts, and health over harmful ingredients. #PublicHealth #FoodSafety #AdvocacyMatters #BanRedDye3 #PeopleOverProfits #HealthcareReform #CleanLabelMovement #ConsumerRights #ToxicFreeFuture #HealthyLiving #RegulationMatters #CorporateAccountability #SustainableFood #HealthFirst #FightForChange https://lnkd.in/eZKs7BSv