
Ultra-processed foods are common in the United States. Unfortunately, these products have been linked to many serious medical conditions, including type-2 diabetes and fatty liver disease. If you or your children have suffered health complications as a result of ultra-processed foods, you may be eligible to pursue compensation through an ultra-processed foods lawsuit.
Recently, there has been a wave of lawsuits filed against the largest producers of ultra-processed foods related to the harm these products cause. A Boca Raton product liability lawyer can review the details of your situation to determine whether you have a case and help you file a lawsuit against the liable party.
What Are Ultra-Processed Foods?
To explain ultra-processed foods, it is important to understand that there are three main categories regarding the processing of food:
- Unprocessed or minimally processed foods
- Processed foods
- Ultra-processed foods
Unprocessed or Minimally Processed Foods
Unprocessed or minimally processed foods are in their natural state or have received minimal treatments that retain the natural vitamins and nutrients present in the food. They may be dried, boiled, frozen, or pasteurized to make them safe and easily storable.
Processed Foods
Meanwhile, processed foods are altered by adding other natural ingredients, such as sugar, oil, and salt. They may lose some of their natural vitamins and minerals in the process with some products but remain largely unchanged from their natural state, with few ingredients.
Ultra-Processed Foods
Ultra-processed foods, on the other hand, contain many additives, including sweeteners, preservatives, and artificial colors.
Ultra-processed foods can cause severe health risks. If you or your children are dealing with a health issue related to ultra-processed foods, an experienced Boca Raton personal injury lawyer can help you file an ultra-processed foods lawsuit.
Health Risks Associated With Ultra-Processed Foods
Ultra-processed foods have been linked to a variety of health concerns. Some of the most common health issues associated with the consumption of these products include:
- Obesity
- Type-2 diabetes
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- Heart problems
Obesity
Several studies have been conducted into the relationship between ultra-processed foods and obesity, and this research has consistently shown that people who have a higher intake of ultra-processed foods are far more likely to struggle with weight issues and the associated health risks.
Type-2 Diabetes
Many studies have shown a direct link between the consumption of ultra-processed foods and the risk of type-2 diabetes. Evidence is overwhelming in these cases that a higher intake of ultra-processed foods leads to a significantly higher risk of developing type-2 diabetes.
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a disease that used to be seen almost exclusively in adults, but which has now become common in children due to ultra-processed foods. The high sugar content and unhealthy fats in these foods can cause severe damage to the liver and result in long-term health problems.
Heart Problems
Studies have linked ultra-processed foods to a wide range of heart problems, including:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Coronary heart disease
- Strokes
In addition to all of these common health issues associated with ultra-processed foods, there have been a variety of other health problems that have been linked to these products, including cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, and dementia.
Children Are Particularly in Danger of Developing Health Problems Related to Ultra-Processed Foods
Children are at risk of serious harm caused by ultra-processed foods for a variety of reasons. The damage these foods can cause to the human body is severe and extensive exposure at a young age can lead to irreparable harm that can have a long-term impact on the health of a child and significantly reduce their lifespan.
Ultra-processed foods are highly addictive and are often engineered to create cravings, resulting in compulsive use. These addictions can be even harder to break when they take root at a young age, making it more difficult for children who consume ultra-processed foods to break the habit.
Unfortunately, many of these companies lean into the addictive nature of their products, creating commercials and other advertising that are aimed directly at children. In recent years, the consumption of ultra-processed foods by children has increased significantly, resulting in a much higher rate of serious health issues among children.
Taking Legal Action Against Manufacturer of Ultra-Processed Foods
While the health risks and addictive properties of ultra-processed foods have been well-known for some time now, more recent evidence suggests that many of the major producers of these foods intentionally engineered their products to be addictive.
Many legal claims have drawn parallels to the tactics used by the tobacco companies of creating dependency and failing to inform consumers of the potential risks to their health. When you hire a lawyer to help you pursue compensation against a food manufacturer, they will likely aim to prove that the company was not simply negligent, but acted with the intent to deceive.
Recovering compensatory damages for the harm you and your family suffered can be critical for addressing your medical costs and other related expenses. An experienced product liability lawyer can help you file an ultra-processed foods lawsuit to secure damages.
How Ultra-Processed Foods Are Created Is One of the Biggest Concerns
The manner in which these foods are processed makes them inherently unhealthy. When assessing the health risks of ultra-processed foods compared to processed or unprocessed foods, you can’t simply compare traditional nutritional factors such as sugar, fat, and salt content.
Even ultra-processed foods that are marketed as being healthy options with reduced calories and sugars can pose significant health risks. The chemicals linked to many ultra-processed foods make them far more dangerous than natural foods, regardless of traditional measurements like calories and sugars.
Our Experienced Legal Team Is Ready To Help You File Your Ultra-Processed Foods Lawsuit
At GED Lawyers, we have been helping people who have suffered harm caused by the negligence or willful misconduct of large corporations for the last two decades. We will never back down from a fight and are ready to use every resource at our disposal to help you get the compensation you deserve through your ultra-processed foods lawsuit.
Contact us today by phone or through our website to set up a free case review with a member of our legal team.