Study Links Ultra-Processed Food Consumption to Increased Lung Cancer Risk

Individuals who consumed the greatest amounts of ultra-processed foods were shown to face up to a 41% higher risk of developing lung cancer.

As evidence continues to grow that links ultra-processed foods (UPFs) to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other serious side effects, a new study suggests the popular category of junk foods may also significantly increase the risk of lung cancer.

The findings were published in the journal Thorax on July 29, amid growing concern among global health officials about the sharp rise in ultra-processed food consumption over recent decades.

Ultra-processed foods have become a dietary staple in the U.S. and around much of the world, driven primarily by aggressive marketing from major food companies. These products, which include many sugary cereals, packaged snacks, frozen entrees, fast foods and soft drinks, are designed to mimic the tastes and textures of natural foods, but are actually infused with added sugars, salt, fats and other potentially unhealthy substances.

Emerging research now suggests that many companies producing, marketing and selling these products either knew or should have known about the long-term health problems the products may cause for consumers, particularly children, including increases in the risk of type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and other diseases.

As a result of these findings, families across the U.S. have begun filing processed food lawsuits against many major manufacturers like Kraft Heinz, Coca-Cola, General Mills and Kellogg’s, claiming the companies’ products contributed to their and their children’s lifelong health issues.

In the new study, Chinese researchers examined a population of 101,732 adults from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial, and identified 1,706 cases of lung cancer over a 12-year follow-up period.

Led by Kanran Wang, the team used multivariable adjustments to determine that individuals in the highest quartile of ultra-processed food consumption had a 41% higher risk of developing lung cancer compared to those in the lowest quartile.

Researchers reported a marked increase in lung cancer risk among participants with the highest intake of ultra-processed foods:

• 37% higher risk of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) among those consuming six servings per day, compared to participants averaging just half a serving
• 44% higher risk of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in the same high-consumption group

These findings were based on 1,473 diagnosed cases of non-small cell lung cancer and 233 cases of small cell lung cancer. Across the study group, participants consumed an average of nearly three servings of ultra-processed foods per day.

“In this large cohort with long-term follow-up, UPF consumption was linked to higher risks of lung cancer, including NSCLC and SCLC, independent of a variety of potential confounders including key risk factors related to lung cancer and overall diet quality.”

-Kanran Wang, Association between ultra-processed food consumption and lung cancer risk: a population-based cohort study

The team acknowledged that more research is needed to understand why lung cancer rates were higher among those who consumed large amounts of ultra-processed foods, noting that several factors could be involved, including low nutrient intake, specific glycemic responses, or exposure to additives and food packaging materials.

Ultra-Processed Foods Health Lawsuits

The link between UPFs and lung cancer adds to a litany of serious concerns regarding ultra-processed foods, which have led to a series of lawsuits against many major food companies in recent months.

A complaint that is believed to be one of the first lawsuits targeting ultra-processed food manufacturers was filed by Bryce Martinez in December 2024, claiming that years of consuming heavily marketed junk food led to his diagnoses of type 2 diabetes and NAFLD prior to turning 16.

Originally filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, the lawsuit names Kraft Heinz, Coca-Cola, General Mills, Kellogg’s, Nestlé and other major food manufacturers as defendants, alleging that they deliberately created addictive food products and targeted children and low-income communities through misleading marketing strategies.

Martinez claims the companies prioritized profits over public health by promoting ultra-processed foods to children without proper warnings about potential long-term health risks. The case has since been transferred to federal court, where it is now before U.S. District Judge Mia R. Perez in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The defendants have filed a motion to dismiss, and a ruling on whether the claims can move forward is still pending.

The outcome could set a precedent for similar lawsuits, as more families come forward alleging that prolonged exposure to ultra-processed foods has contributed to chronic health conditions in them and their children. 

Ultra-processed foods lawyers continue to review potential claims on behalf of individuals and families of individuals diagnosed with illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, NAFLD and others related to ultra-processed foods consumption.

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