Ultra-Processed Foods: New Cigarettes?

In a bold declaration that’s sparked widespread debate among public health experts, a new study suggests ultra-processed foods (UPFs) should be regulated much like cigarettes. Researchers from three prominent US universities argue that, like tobacco products, ultra-processed foods are intentionally engineered to encourage addiction and overconsumption, warranting similar regulatory scrutiny due to their significant public health risks.

The Study’s Startling Comparison

According to a recent report published in the journal Milbank Quarterly, ultra-processed foods bear more resemblance to cigarettes than to traditional whole foods. The research, conducted by scientists from Harvard, Michigan, and Duke Universities, draws striking parallels between the manufacturing processes and health impacts of both product categories.

The study concludes that ultra-processed foods like sweets and snacks warrant regulation proportional to their “significant public health risks.” These foods, researchers argue, are specifically designed to be addictive through a combination of excessive sugar, salt, fat, and artificial additives that trigger reward pathways in the brain similar to those activated by tobacco.

The Science Behind “Food Addiction”

What Makes UPFs Addictive?

Ultra-processed foods are not simply convenience products—they’re engineered for addiction. These industrial formulations typically contain:

High concentrations of refined sugars and carbohydrates
Artificial flavor enhancers like monosodium glutamate (MSG)
Emulsifiers and stabilizers that affect gut bacteria
Preservatives that extend shelf life but may impact health
Artificial colors and sweeteners designed to enhance palatability

Like nicotine in cigarettes, these components work together to create what researchers term “hyperpalatable” products. They’re designed to be highly rewarding, trigger intense cravings, and override natural satiety signals. The result? Foods that are difficult to consume in moderation and can lead to compulsive eating behaviors.

The NOVA Classification System

The scientific community classifies foods using the NOVA system, which groups edible substances based on the extent and purpose of processing:

Unprocessed or minimally processed foods – fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, meat
Processed culinary ingredients – oils, butter, sugar, salt
Processed foods – canned vegetables, bread, cheese
Ultra-processed foods – soft drinks, chips, candy, ready-to-eat meals

It’s the fourth category that concerns researchers most, as these products are industrial formulations made mostly from substances extracted from foods or synthesized in laboratories.

Health Risks: A Growing Concern

Multiple studies have firmly established links between high UPF consumption and serious health conditions:

Obesity and weight gain
Type 2 diabetes
Cardiovascular disease
Certain types of cancer
Premature death from any cause
Mental health disorders

A large 2024 review of evidence found that diets rich in ultra-processed foods were tied to increased risks for premature death, cardiovascular disease, mental health disorders, diabetes, obesity, and sleep problems. The CDC reports that ultra-processed foods now make up more than 50% of the American diet, a statistic that public health officials find deeply troubling.

According to the World Health Organization, a higher consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with an increased risk of cancer and cardiometabolic multimorbidity. The WHO has been working on developing guidelines for the consumption of ultra-processed foods, recognizing them as a major global health threat.

The Tobacco Control Model: MPOWER Strategies

How Cigarettes Are Regulated

For decades, governments worldwide have implemented comprehensive tobacco control policies that have significantly reduced smoking rates. The WHO’s MPOWER framework serves as the foundation for these efforts, consisting of six proven measures:

Monitor tobacco use and prevention policies
Protect people from tobacco smoke
Offer help to quit tobacco use
Warn about the dangers of tobacco
Enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship
Raise taxes on tobacco

These strategies have proven remarkably effective. The FDA regulates cigarettes through various premarket requirements, product standards, and marketing restrictions. Cigarettes must carry graphic health warnings, face advertising bans, and are subject to high taxation precisely because of their addictive nature and health risks.

Applying Tobacco Control to Food Regulation

Researchers argue that ultra-processed foods deserve similar regulatory attention. Potential approaches include:

Mandatory health warnings on packaging, similar to cigarette labels
Restrictions on marketing, especially to children
Higher taxation on products with poor nutritional profiles
Limits on availability in schools and public institutions
Stricter ingredient and labeling requirements
Premarket approval for new food additives

“Drawing on the history of tobacco regulation, we examine how the design, marketing, and distribution of UPFs mirror those of industrial tobacco,” wrote researchers in one study. Just as tobacco companies once manipulated nicotine levels and delivery methods to increase addiction, food manufacturers engineer products to maximize “bliss points”—optimal combinations of sugar, salt, and fat that trigger intense cravings.

Public Health Implications

The comparison to cigarettes isn’t made lightly. Cigarettes kill over 8 million people globally each year, making them one of the world’s leading preventable causes of death. If ultra-processed foods pose comparable risks, the implications are staggering.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. stated, “Ultra-processed foods are driving our chronic disease epidemic. We must act boldly to eliminate the regulatory gaps that allow these products to be sold without adequate oversight.” The FDA, USDA, and HHS have all acknowledged the significant health risks associated with these products.

But the path forward isn’t without challenges. Unlike cigarettes, which have no safe level of consumption, food is essential for survival. Critics argue that regulating foods like cigarettes could create unintended consequences, potentially stigmatizing necessary convenience foods or disproportionately affecting low-income populations who rely on affordable, shelf-stable options.

The Road Ahead

The study’s authors emphasize that their comparison to cigarettes isn’t about moral judgment but rather about matching regulatory frameworks to actual health risks. “Added sugar, like tobacco, alcohol, cocaine, and opioids, meets public health criteria for societal intervention,” notes one paper in PMC. “The roadmap to successful intervention is complex, but we have templates based on how tobacco and alcohol regulation were enacted.”

As governments grapple with rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, the idea of treating ultra-processed foods more like cigarettes is likely to gain traction. With ultra-processed foods now accounting for over half of American caloric intake, public health experts argue that bold action is necessary to prevent what some are calling the “21st-century tobacco epidemic.”

Whether this comparison will translate into actual policy remains to be seen. But as the evidence linking ultra-processed foods to serious health outcomes continues to mount, one thing is clear: the way we regulate our food supply may need a complete overhaul.