Ultra-Processed Foods and Social Justice: A Hidden Crisis in Plain Sight

As someone who has spent over a decade working in nutrition and mental health, I’ve witnessed firsthand how ultra-processed foods disproportionately impact marginalized communities. This isn’t just a public health issue–it’s a profound social justice crisis that demands our attention.

Understanding the Scope

Recent data paints a disturbing picture:

• Nearly two-thirds of calories in the American diet come from ultra-processed foods [1]
• Consumption is even higher among lower-income groups [2] 
• The disparity is growing wider over time 

The Marketing Machine

Targeted Marketing Strategies

Internal documents reveal that transnational food companies deliberately target vulnerable communities [3]:

1. Historical Context
   • Transfer of ethnic and racial marketing strategies from tobacco companies
   • Implementation of “integrated minority marketing programs”
   • Strategic community “outreach” programs 
2. Ongoing Tactics
   • Targeted digital advertising
   • Cultural event sponsorship
   • Strategic product placement

The Food Insecurity Trap

The relationship between food insecurity and ultra-processed food consumption creates a vicious cycle:

Key Statistics

• Food insecure households show 21-56% higher food addiction symptoms [4,5]
• SNAP participation correlates with higher ultra-processed food intake [5]
• Caregivers in food-insecure households show elevated rates of ultra-processed food addiction [4]

Environmental Factors

Food Swamps [6]:

• Higher concentration in low-income areas
• Displacement of healthier alternatives
• Strategic placement near schools
• Limited competition from fresh food vendors

The Biology of Inequity

This crisis has biological implications:

1. Stress Response
   • Chronic stress increases comfort food-seeking [7]
   • Altered reward pathways [8] 
   • Disrupted hunger/satiety signals [9]
   • Inflammation and metabolic changes [9] 
2. Addiction Potential
   • Higher addiction rates in vulnerable populations
   • Stress-induced susceptibility
   • Limited access to alternative life purpose and meaningful direction
   • Biological feedback loops

Systemic Barriers to Change

Several factors maintain this system:

1. Economic Barriers
   • Limited access to fresh foods
   • Higher costs of healthy alternatives
   • Time and transportation constraints
   • Food preparation challenges
2. Policy Issues
   • Inadequate regulation and limited enforcement 
   • Subsidy structures favor unhealthy foods
   • Marketing freedoms

Breaking the Cycle

Solutions must be multifaceted:

1. Policy Reform

• Marketing restrictions (particularly children)
• Better SNAP guidelines
• Community investment

2. Environmental Change

• Improved food access
• Community gardens
• Local market support

3. Education and Support

• Culturally appropriate programs
• Practical cooking skills
• Community engagement

A Call to Action

Addressing this crisis requires:

1. Recognition
   • Acknowledging systemic racism
   • Understanding commercial influences
   • Identifying policy barriers
   • Recognizing biological factors
2. Reform
   • Policy changes
   • Corporate accountability
   • Community investment
   • System restructuring to incentivize positive outcomes
3. Resources
   • Research funding for conflict-free research
   • Program support
   • Education initiatives free of conflicts

The ultra-processed food crisis in marginalized communities represents a critical social justice issue that demands immediate attention and action. Only by addressing both commercial and social determinants can we begin to create meaningful change.

Learn more about the commercial determinants of health.

References

1) Srour, B., Kordahi, M. C., Bonazzi, E., Deschasaux-Tanguy, M., Touvier, M., & Chassaing,
B. (2022). Ultra-processed foods and human health: from epidemiological evidence to
mechanistic insights. The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 7(Nature 444 2006), 1128–1140. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2468-1253(22)00169-8

2) Baraldi, L. G., Steele, E. M., Canella, D. S., & Monteiro, C. A. (2018). Consumption of ultraprocessed foods and associated sociodemographic factors in the USA between 2007 and
2012: evidence from a nationally representative cross-sectional study. BMJ Open, 8(3),
e020574. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-020574

3) Nguyen, K. H., Glantz, S. A., Palmer, C. N., & Schmidt, L. A. (2020). Transferring
Racial/Ethnic Marketing Strategies From Tobacco to Food Corporations: Philip Morris and
Kraft General Foods. American Journal of Public Health, e1–e8.
https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2019.305482

4) Parnarouskis, L., Gearhardt, A. N., Mason, A. E., Adler, N. E., Laraia, B. A., Epel, E. S., &
Leung, C. W. (2022). Association of Food Insecurity and Food Addiction Symptoms: A
Secondary Analysis of Two Samples of Low-Income Female Adults. Journal of the Academy
of Nutrition and Dietetics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2022.04.015

5) Leung, C. W., Fulay, A. P., Parnarouskis, L., Martinez-Steele, E., Gearhardt, A. N., &
Wolfson, J. A. (2022). Food insecurity and ultra-processed food consumption: the modifying
role of participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqac049

6) Cooksey-Stowers, K., Schwartz, M. B., & Brownell, K. D. (2017). Food Swamps Predict
Obesity Rates Better Than Food Deserts in the United States. International Journal of
Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(11), 1366.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14111366

7) Leung, C. W., Parnarouskis, L., Slotnick, M. J., & Gearhardt, A. N. (2023). Food insecurity
and food addiction in a large, national sample of lower-income adults. Current Developments
in Nutrition, 102036. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cdnut.2023.102036

8) Wiss, D. A., Avena, N., & Gold, M. (2020). Food Addiction and Psychosocial Adversity:
Biological Embedding, Contextual Factors, and Public Health Implications. Nutrients, 12(11), 3521. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12113521

9) Prescott, S. L., D’Adamo, C. R., Holton, K. F., Ortiz, S., Overby, N., & Logan, A. C. (2023).
Beyond Plants: The Ultra-Processing of Global Diets Is Harming the Health of People,
Places, and Planet. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,
20(15), 6461. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20156461