Common Ultra Processed Food Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Ultra-Processed Foods Lawsuit Mass Tort?

The ultra-processed foods mass tort litigation involves many individuals pursuing similar cases against Kraft-Heinz, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Mars, Nestle, and many other companies based on their ultra-processing of food and the possible dangers to young people consuming this food regularly.

Many of these products target children, tweens, teens, and families. Young people—under age 18—are being diagnosed with chronic health issues such as type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic liver disease. Recent scientific, peer-reviewed studies and meta-analyses have linked the regular consumption of UPFs with an increased risk of these and other serious health concerns.

What Are Ultra-Processed Foods?

Many people eat ultra-processed foods regularly without realizing it. They are common in grocery stores, gas stations, vending machines, frozen food aisles, and fast food restaurants. They are extensively processed through industrial means.

In general, they are pre-packaged convenience foods made to have a long shelf life and enhanced textures, flavors, and colors. They could include anything from soft drinks to crackers, chips, cookies, and candy bars. They also include frozen dinners and fast food.

Ultra-processed foods rely more on ingredients not commonly used in home cooking than on whole foods. This could include artificial colors and flavors, emulsifiers to improve texture, and preservatives to stretch the shelf life. They often have long ingredient lists and are calorie-dense but do not provide much nutrition.

What Damages Are the Plaintiffs Seeking in the Ultra-Processed Foods Lawsuit?

Plaintiffs filing UPF lawsuits are seeking both compensatory and punitive damages. This means they hope to recover compensation for both their expenses and losses and hold the companies accountable for their extreme negligence in endangering children, tweens, and teens.

Compensatory damages are those that compensate the victims for their expenses and losses. This could include:

• Medical bills, current and future
• Lost income and diminished earning ability
• Out-of-pocket costs
• Non-economic damages, including pain and suffering
• Wrongful death damages when applicable

Punitive damages are non-compensatory. They do not directly compensate victims for their expenses or losses. Instead, they penalize the liable parties and send a strong message to companies that might engage in similar practices. They are awarded at trial and can be significant.

How Do I Know If I May Qualify for the Ultra-Processed Food Lawsuit?

Our team can assess your case facts and determine if you may qualify to file your own ultra-processed food lawsuit or pursue compensation on behalf of your child. The criteria for these lawsuits include:

• Consuming significant amounts of ultra-processed foods regularly
• Having a diagnosis before the age of 18 of type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic liver disease, or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
• Being under age 30 now
• Having a valid U.S. Social Security Number

You must also still have time left to file a lawsuit. Each state sets its own statutes of limitations on injury lawsuits and the rules that apply to them. We can assess your case and discuss if this could pose a problem for you when pursuing a case.

Who Are the Defendants in the Ultra-Processed Foods Mass Tort?

The lawsuits against food manufacturers include a long list of major companies. They include:

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

What Harm Are Plaintiffs Alleging They Suffered Because of Ultra-Processed Foods?

Young people, in particular, are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic liver disease, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis at increased rates. These conditions used to be rare in children, tweens, and teens. According to the University of California San Francisco, the incidence of non-alcoholic liver disease is now about the same as asthma in children, a significant increase.

According to a study published in the JAMA Journal, children today get about 66.6 percent of their energy (calories) from ultra-processed foods. The lawsuits allege this is, in part, because of the addictive nature of these foods and the way the companies market them to children and families.

Is the Ultra-Processed Foods Mass Tort a Class Action Lawsuit?

No, the ultra-processed foods mass tort litigation is not a class action lawsuit. As of February 2025, it is also not yet a multidistrict litigation (MDL). However, it may be consolidated into an MDL in the future.

An MDL allows each case to remain separate but to move through the pretrial process as a group. Each plaintiff retains their right to a separate settlement that reflects their specific damages or to take their case to trial. In a class action, the ruling applies to all class members. This means all plaintiffs receive the same payout, which would not work well because of the wide range of damages among UPF plaintiffs.

What Should I Do If I Believe I May Qualify for the Ultra-Processed Foods Lawsuit?

If you believe you may qualify, contact us. We will review the facts of your case and discuss your options. If you qualify, we will connect you with one of our co-counsels in your area representing plaintiffs in this case. They know how to file an ultra-processed food lawsuit, manage your case, and fight for justice.