Ultra-Processed Food Warning Labels Could Reduce Consumption in Children: Study

Findings indicate that a different calorie warning system for ultra-processed foods could lead to slightly less consumption by school-aged youth.

New research suggests that a different labeling system for ultra-processed foods, which highlights the amount of exercise needed to burn off calories in the popular junk food products, may help reduce the amount of the unhealthy foods that are consumed by some young people.

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) include popular items like sugary cereals, ready-to-eat frozen meals, fast food, soft drinks, salty snacks and other foods that are heavily manufactured, containing refined ingredients, along with artificial additives such as emulsifiers, sweeteners and preservatives. They are designed to imitate the taste, look and texture of whole foods, but these items are created more for flavor and longer shelf life than meaningful nutritional value.

In a study published last month in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, researchers indicate that school children in England were more likely to choose healthy snacks over ultra-processed foods when labels showed how much exercise would be needed to burn off the calories.

The findings come amid a growing body of research published in recent years, which highlights serious health risks linked to ultra-processed foods, including childhood metabolic and developmental issues, which have not been clearly communicated to consumers.

As a result the manufacturers’ decision to promote these unhealthy foods torward children, a number of families of children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are now filing ultra-processed food lawsuits, raising allegations that the food industry intentionally concealed these health risks, and failed to warn health officials or the public.

The study, conducted by researchers at Loughborough University in the U.K., examined students aged 11 and older across 18 schools in England to assess whether labeling ultra-processed snacks with the Physical Activity Calorie Equivalent (PACE) influenced students to choose healthier options.

The PACE method is a way of labeling food that shows the number of minutes of exercise required to burn the calories contained in the food. For example, a 600 calorie muffin may indicate that it would take a child who weighs around 114 pounds an hour of running to expend the calories contained in the food.

The research team, led by Natalia Iris, aimed to test the PACE labeling method to reduce ultra-processed food intake, based on earlier studies suggesting that adolescents may avoid high-calorie foods when shown how much exercise is needed to burn them off.

The study looked at children who purchased certain ultra-processed cakes and sweet biscuits rather than other snack items from their schools, when exposed to PACE labeling.

Researchers found that schools using PACE labeling saw about 11 fewer cake and biscuit purchases per week for every 100 students. However, some schools opted out of the study over concerns that PACE labels might negatively affect students’ well-being.

“PACE labelling may reduce the purchases of cakes and biscuits by a small amount in young people within secondary school canteens and could be a useful strategy to help young people choose healthier food while at school,” Iris said. “Short term implementation of PACE labelling on cakes and biscuits in schools appears generally feasible for some schools, but for others, low acceptability of PACE labelling among school stakeholders could be a barrier.”

Ultra-Processed Foods Lawsuits

Ultra-processed food lawyers are currently reviewing potential legal claims on behalf of individuals and families whose children have been diagnosed with chronic health conditions believed to be linked to the regular consumption of these types of foods.

Lawsuits related to childhood diagnoses of type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are being filed against several major food and beverage companies, including:

• Kraft Heinz Company, Inc.
• Mondelēz International, Inc.
• The Coca-Cola Company
• PepsiCo, Inc.
• General Mills, Inc.
• Nestlé USA, Inc.
• Kellogg’s (Kellanova and WK Kellogg Co.)
• Mars Incorporated, Inc.
• Conagra Brands, Inc.
• Post Holdings, Inc.

Those interested in finding out more about ongoing ultra-processed food lawsuits, or determining whether their child may qualify for a settlement, can fill out the form below to have their cases reviewed by a lawyer.

All claims are handled on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront costs, and legal fees are only paid if a settlement or compensation is secured.