Ultra-Processed Food Lawsuit Lawyers

Let Us Review Your Case and Connect You With an Ultra-Processed Food Lawsuit Attorney in Your Area

The Goldwater Law Firm has a long history of getting results. We work with many of the country’s largest and most successful law firms and help individuals in all 50 states. We form strategic partnerships with co-counsels who work for you, filing a robust lawsuit and protecting your rights.

Our team understands how difficult it can be to decide to take legal action against massive corporations, especially when you or your child is sick and hurting. When you work with an attorney, they’ll handle every aspect of your case. When you contact our team, you can expect us to treat you with respect and compassion. We refuse to let these big companies take advantage of individuals and profit while hurting you and your family.

Contact us today, and let us review your options with you. We can refer you to a law firm partner near you to proceed with your ultra-processed food case. Your ultra-processed food attorney will represent you based on contingency, never asking you to pay an upfront fee or cover other upfront costs.

Understanding the Basis of the Ultra-Processed Food Lawsuits

The UPF lawsuits allege that the manufacturers of these foods purposefully engineered them to be addictive. This includes triggering cravings and compulsive eating. They also allege that this plays a significant role in why these foods have become a mainstay of traditional diets, especially for children. These foods have been linked to many chronic health concerns in children and young people.

The goal of these lawsuits is to hold the companies liable for:

• Acting negligently by failing to adequately warn consumers about the health risks of the products
• Participating in deceptive practices by using marketing strategies that specifically target children and families
• Knowing about possible links between their products and the development of certain health conditions

What Harm Is Occurring?

The lawsuits do not just allege that these products could cause harm. Instead, they are based on the chronic health conditions the plaintiffs and their families must manage daily. This includes:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Non-alcoholic liver disease
• Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Who Are the Lawsuits Against?

The ultra-processed food lawsuits are seeking compensation from many well-known companies, including:

• Kraft-Heinz Company, Inc.
• Mondelez International, Inc.
• Post Holdings, Inc.
• The Coca-Cola Company
• Pepsico, Inc.
• General Mills, Inc.
• Nestle U.S.A., Inc.
• Kellanova
• WK Kellogg Co.
• Mars Incorporated, Inc.
• Conagra Brands, Inc.

What Are Ultra-Processed Foods?

Ultra-processed foods are often convenience foods. They are made to have an extended shelf life, be easy to prepare or eat on the go, and have enhanced flavor and texture. They are often calorie-dense but lack essential vitamins and nutrients for a well-rounded diet.

Ultra-processed foods are some of the most available options, especially for eating on the go. They are available in grocery stores, vending machines, and convenience stores. Potato chips, fast food burgers, candy bars, sodas, and frozen pizzas are often UPFs.

These foods are defined by their extensive processing that makes them last longer, taste more flavorful, and have an improved texture or color over natural ingredients. They often require industrial processing in a manufacturing plant and would be difficult to make at home. They also often contain:

• Significant added sugar
• Unhealthy types of fat, such as trans fat
• High levels of sodium
• Artificial emulsifiers and other substances added to improve texture
• Artificial preservatives, flavor enhancers, and colors

Unfortunately, these are many of the most affordable, tastiest options children, tweens, and teens reach for when they want a snack or a meal. Parents trust these companies to make quality products to feed their children. They only become aware there is a problem when their child experiences chronic health concerns related to their diet.

Does Science Support the Ultra-Processed Food Lawsuit?

While researchers and scientists who might testify in the ultra-processed food lawsuits have yet to be identified, several studies link the consumption of these foods with the development of chronic health conditions, especially in children. This includes:

JAMA Journal

According to a study published in JAMA Journal, children today get about two-thirds of their calories from ultra-processed foods.

This could contribute to the increase in obesity rates and type 2 diabetes diagnoses in this age group.

The Washington Post

In 2023, The Washington Post highlighted the alarming trend of children and teens being diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which was previously rare in young people. According to the University of California San Francisco, between five and ten percent of all children may now have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, about the same percentage who live with asthma.

Diabetes Care

A study published in Diabetes Care linked the consumption of ultra-processed foods with type 2 diabetes in most populations. The study found that for every 10 percent increase in UPFs in the diet, the individual’s risk of type 2 diabetes rose by 12 percent.

Advances in Nutrition

In a January 2024 meta-analysis published in Advances in Nutrition, researchers link the consumption of ultra-processed foods to many chronic health conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and dyslipidemia.

Let an Ultra-Processed Food Lawsuit Attorney Assess Your Eligibility

Our law firm partners representing plaintiffs in the ultra-processed food mass tort litigation have compiled a preliminary list of criteria for participating in these lawsuits. If you meet the following criteria, contact us today. We will discuss your options and connect you with our co-counsel to manage the next steps and file your ultra-processed food lawsuit.

To join others in pursuing a case against the manufacturers of ultra-processed foods, you must:

• Have a type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic liver disease, or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis diagnosis
• Have received a diagnosis before the age of 18
• Be under 30 years old today
• Have consumed ultra-processed foods on average four times a week or more
• Have a valid U.S. Social Security Number

The best way to learn more about your rights and legal options is to contact our team today. At The Goldwater Law Firm, we can evaluate your case and discuss your next steps. We can answer questions about this case, our law firm partners, and the resources your ultra-processed food lawsuit lawyer will have access to when building your case. Call us to get started. Your initial consultation is confidential and free.

What Damages Might Be Recoverable in the Ultra-Processed Foods Litigation?

Plaintiffs accuse the food manufacturers of conspiracy, negligence, fraudulent misrepresentation, and unfair business practices. In their lawsuits, they are demanding damages for a wide range of expenses and losses, as well as punitive damages.

Each case has its own value, including the expenses and losses the victim suffered because of their health condition. Some examples of potentially recoverable compensatory damages in these cases include:

• Medical bills, current and future, for managing their related health condition
• Ongoing care and support needs because of their condition
• Lost income or reduced ability to work and earn because of their condition
• Out-of-pocket expenses, such as traveling to see a specialist
• Pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability, and reduced quality of life
• Wrongful death damages if they passed away from their related health condition

Punitive damages might also be available in these cases if the plaintiffs can build a strong case to show the defendants knew what they were doing or failed to act reasonably to prevent harming children. Punitive damages are meant to penalize particularly bad behavior in dangerous or defective product cases and to prevent other companies from acting similarly in the future.

Generally, only juries and sometimes judges award punitive damages. This means the cases must go to trial before we know if these damages are probable in this mass tort.

What Is the Current Status of the Ultra-Processed Food Lawsuit Mass Tort Litigation?

As of February 2025, the ultra-processed food mass tort is in its earliest stages. These lawsuits began when a young man, Bryce Martinez, filed a lawsuit against these companies, complaining that his regular consumption of these ultra-processed products caused him to develop type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. He will now live with these conditions for the rest of his life. Lawyers filed this lawsuit in December 2024.

This lawsuit made others aware of the concerns, and they filed their complaints on the same grounds. This is how our law firm partners developed their criteria for these cases. Contact us today if you believe you or your child might be eligible. We help people in all 50 states.

As of February 2025, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation has not yet met to consolidate these cases. However, many believe that could happen quickly as more and more plaintiffs file lawsuits. If it does so, the cases will be merged into multidistrict litigation (MDL) for their initial phases. This helps them move through the courts faster, allowing plaintiffs to share resources and save money.

What Can I Expect If the Ultra-Processed Food Lawsuit Becomes Multidistrict Litigation?

An MDL is generally a positive thing for plaintiffs in a mass tort case. The MDL Panel consolidates all the similar cases into one U.S. District Court under a single judge. This judge oversees the initial stages of the trial, ensuring all cases receive the same treatment and proceed under the same rules.

There are a few phases of MDLs that you should be aware of. They include:

Pretrial Motions

These are all the motions that could occur early in a case. Motions to dismiss, motions to suppress evidence, motions for a continuance, and many more are common in civil cases. The judge rules on each one, and the ruling applies to all cases in the MDL.

Discovery

Discovery is the investigative portion of the case. Each side gathers evidence, creates a list of witnesses, and requests depositions—sworn interviews—of certain parties. Many MDLs have a “science day” as part of this process, too. This is when each side provides evidence and witnesses to help the judge, and others involved better understand the science of the case.

Bellwether Trials

As a part of an MDL, the plaintiffs and defendants will work together to select several cases to go to trial under the oversight of the U.S. District Court. These trials serve as bellwethers for the other cases. That is, they are a test for how juries react to the evidence and case facts.

The outcomes of these cases do not apply to any other case, although they often inspire settlement offers or convince plaintiffs to drop their suits, depending on the outcome.

Settlements

Settlement offers are common in MDLs. When the defense loses one or more bellwether trials, they begin to consider how much money is at risk. They may offer individual settlements, tiered settlements based on the health of the plaintiffs, or global settlements that cover most or all of the remaining cases.

For cases that do not settle during this process, the option remains to return to their original jurisdiction and go to trial. While this is not common, it is possible. If this happens to you, your ultra-processed food lawsuit attorney will offer advice and guidance. They will represent you from start to finish, fighting for maximum compensation.

What Should I Do If I Think I Have an Ultra-Processed Food Lawsuit?

If you or your child might qualify to join the UPF mass tort litigation, contact our team as soon as possible. Our free, confidential consultation can help you better understand your rights and how these cases might work. We can determine if you might qualify to recover compensation in a UPF lawsuit based on your or your child’s diagnosis.

We can connect you with a law firm partner near you that represents families in these cases. An ultra-processed food lawsuit lawyer from one of our law firm partners will manage your case, including building your claim and filing your lawsuit.

What Steps Will My Ultra-Processed Food Lawsuit Lawyer Take for Me?

When you work with one of our co-counsels to file an ultra-processed food lawsuit, you can expect your attorney to manage your case from start to finish. They will protect your rights, represent your best interests, and fight for maximum compensation based on the case facts.

As your ultra-processed food lawyer, they will:

• Keep you updated on the latest in the case, including if it becomes an MDL
• Answer your questions about the lawsuit as they arise
• Gather evidence to support your lawsuit, such as medical records
• Work with experts to develop a strong argument for compensation on your behalf
• Prepare and file all necessary paperwork
• Communicate with the court and other law firms about your case as necessary
• Negotiate settlement terms on your behalf
• Represent you to the judge and jury if your case goes to trial

Your lawyer will allow you to focus on your daily life, manage your condition, and take care of other important tasks during this time. They will handle all the legal tasks for you.

What Is the Deadline for Filing an Ultra-Processed Food Lawsuit?

How long you have to file an ultra-processed food lawsuit depends greatly on your location. Each state sets its own statutes of limitations for filing injury lawsuits. This could include:

• A deadline based solely on when your diagnosis occurred
• A deadline based on a discovery rule, meaning when you discovered the possible link between UPFs and your diagnosis
• A statute of repose that allows minors to wait until they turn 18 for the statute of limitations to begin
• A deadline for wrongful death, when applicable

Discovery rules apply in AL, AK, ID, IN, KY, LA, MS, MI, OK, SD, TN, TX, and WV. In states without these rules, you may only have a very short time to act. Contact us as soon as possible, and we can discuss your options, including the statute of limitations that might apply.