Food firms sued for allegedly marketing "addictive" products to kids

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Axios

10 hours ago


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, the major national personal injury attorneys representing the teen in the case.

Zoom out: The lawsuit, filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas on Tuesday, comes as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Trump's nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, pledges to remove from school lunches processed foods — which he has been highly critical of.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Califf has said he believes that ultra-processed food is probably addictive, notes Reuters, which first reported on the lawsuit.

What they're saying: "Companies adhere to the rigorous evidence-based safety standards established by the FDA to deliver safe, affordable and convenient products that consumers depend on every day," said the Consumer Brands Association's Sarah Gallo, via email on Tuesday night.

"There is currently no agreed upon scientific definition of ultra-processed foods," continued the senior vice president of product policy for the industry group that represents food and drinks manufacturers.

"Attempting to classify foods as unhealthy simply because they are processed, or demonizing food by ignoring its full nutrient content, misleads consumers and exacerbates health disparities," she added.

"We fully support providing consumers the dignity of choice when making decisions about healthy dietary patterns and the makers of America's household brands are continuously innovating to meet the health and lifestyle needs of their customers."

Read more: https://www.axios.com/2024/12/11/food-companies-sued-addictive-kids-marketing-lawsuit-claim

[cstanleytech]

1. My bet is it'll be kicked out of Court though I could of course be wrong.

[uncledad]

2. It is a marketing plan

Market all this shitty food to kids then by the time they turn 25 all the for profit pharmaceutical companies can sell over priced diabetes, anti-inflammation, heart failure drugs to them for decades. It's a scam and our corporate media in this country (abc, cbs, cnn, msnbc, faux) are laughing all the way to the bank. They get ad money from the shitty food and from the drug and healthcare companies!

[moniss]

4. Way back in the day I

saw a similar "business" plan in a small town. There was one guy who owned a clothing store (everything from baby clothes to men's and women's), hospital supply place, grocery store and the only funeral home.

[moniss]

3. Donald Crumb will use "Brain Worm" as

the threat to these companies in order to have them make money come his way. Pony up and keep on producing the food. Don't pony up and "we need to heavily investigate" will become the normal for that company and along with sales restrictions. "Nice company you have there. Be a shame if you're too stupid to play ball with Crumb."