Ultra-Processed Foods Lawsuits: How to Protect Your Family’s Health and Future
Ultra-processed foods are a staple in many families’ fridges and pantries — after all, they’re quick, convenient, and marketed as kid-friendly. But recent research has revealed a disturbing truth: some of these foods may be linked to serious health problems in children, including type-2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and obesity.
For decades, Slater & Zurz has taken on corporate giants who prioritize profits over people’s well-being, recovering billions for families just like yours. If your child has been affected by ultra-processed foods, we’re here to help you fight back and seek the compensation your family deserves.
On this page, you’ll find:
- A breakdown of what ultra-processed foods are
- How ultra-processed foods are impacting children’s health
- Updates on the latest ultra-processed food lawsuits
What Are Ultra-Processed Foods?
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are industrially manufactured food products that undergo extensive processing. These products often strip natural nutrients from whole foods (such as fruits, grains, and vegetables) and add a long list of additives, artificial flavors, and preservatives.
The result? Products designed to taste great, last longer, and encourage people to keep eating — often at the expense of their health.
Some popular UPFs among children include:
- Sugary drinks: Sodas, soft drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks with high sugar content, and sweetened fruit drinks.
- Packaged snacks: Chips, flavored crackers, and potato chips.
- Pre-packaged meals: Frozen dinners, instant noodles, and microwavable meals.
- Fast food: Burgers, fried chicken, and other quick-serve items.
- Sweet treats: Candies, cookies, cakes, pastries, and ice creams with artificial flavoring.
- Breakfast items: Sweetened cereals and flavored yogurts.
- Processed meats: Hot dogs, sausages, and deli slices.
Canned and packaged goods: Soups with preservatives, mass-produced breads, and similar convenience items.
How Ultra-Processed Foods Can Harm Children
It’s no surprise that a child might choose a brightly colored, candy-flavored cereal over a bowl of oatmeal — ultra-processed foods are designed to be tempting. Among youths, the estimated proportion of total energy intake from UPFs increased from 61.4% in 1999 to 67.0% in 2018.
Sadly, this preference for UPFs can come at a cost. While they might satisfy a craving, they often lack essential nutrients and may contain ingredients that contribute to long-term health problems, including:
- Type-2 diabetes: Eating too many UPFs may increase a child’s risk of developing type-2 diabetes. One study found that for adults, every 10% increase in UPFs in their diet increases their risk of diabetes by 15%.
- Fatty liver disease: UPFs may contribute to fatty liver disease, where fat builds up in the liver and can cause serious damage. This condition was once uncommon in kids, but cases have doubled since 2017, and experts believe the rise of UPFs is a major factor.
- Weight gain and obesity: Because UPFs are often engineered to be tasty and even addictive, kids may end up eating more than they need. Studies have found that adults who eat a lot of UPFs consume about 500 more calories per day, which can lead to weight gain and obesity.
If your child has experienced health changes and you believe ultra-processed foods could be the cause, we’re here to help. Contact us at 330-762-0700 or fill out the form below.
Ultra-Processed Foods Lawsuits in 2025
In December 2024, a groundbreaking lawsuit was filed in Philadelphia against major food corporations, including Kraft Heinz, Mondelez, and Coca-Cola. The plaintiff, Bryce Martinez, alleges that these companies have:
- Deceived consumers: By failing to adequately warn about the health risks linked to UPFs.
- Engineered addiction: By deliberately creating products designed to be addictive, prioritizing profit over public health.
- Targeted children: By marketing these products directly to children, making them especially vulnerable to the health impacts.
This lawsuit is the first of its kind, drawing parallels between the tactics used by these food companies and those historically employed by the tobacco industry.
What Does This Mean for You?
Martinez’s ultra-processed foods lawsuit gives your family an opportunity to seek justice if your child has experienced health issues like type 2 diabetes or fatty liver disease.
If you’ve never been involved in a case like this before, here’s how it works: instead of filing an individual lawsuit, you can join a mass tort — a group effort where families with similar claims work together. Think of it as “piggybacking” on the existing case. This approach allows for shared resources, evidence, and legal expertise, making it easier to challenge powerful companies without taking it all on alone.
A conversation with an attorney can help you understand if joining the case is the right move for you. Reach out to us for a free case consultation at 330-762-0700 or fill out the form below.
What Compensation Can Families Seek in an Ultra-Processed Foods Lawsuit?
When ultra-processed foods harm a child’s health, the consequences can ripple through every part of a family’s life — emotionally, physically, and financially. Ultra-processed foods lawsuits typically seek to recover compensation to help rebuild their lives, including:
- Medical expenses: Covering past treatments and ongoing care, including specialist visits, hospital stays, medications, and therapy.
- Future healthcare needs: Accounting for the long-term nature of these conditions, including monitoring, procedures, and potential complications.
- Lost income: If you had to reduce work hours or leave a job to care for your child.
- Pain and suffering: Acknowledging the emotional toll on both your child and your family, including the impact on quality of life.
Our experienced mass tort attorneys will work with you to evaluate your case and pursue the maximum compensation possible.
Join the Fight Against Harmful Ultra-Processed Foods
That after-school snack or quick, easy breakfast wasn’t supposed to put your child at risk. Yet, for many families, these everyday choices have led to devastating health consequences.
Filing an ultra-processed foods lawsuit isn’t just about compensation for medical bills or the emotional toll on your family. It’s about holding food companies accountable for prioritizing profits over public health and ensuring no other child has to suffer.
At Slater & Zurz, we make it as simple as possible to understand your rights and explore your options. You don’t have to navigate this alone, and with our contingency fee structure, you won’t pay unless we win your case.
Call us today at 330-762-0700 or fill out our form for a free case evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I know if my child’s condition is linked to ultra-processed foods?
- We understand how overwhelming it can be to connect your child’s health issues to something as common as food, but there’s good news: you don’t have to figure it out alone. Our experienced attorneys will take the time to carefully review your child’s medical history, dietary habits, and any other relevant details to uncover whether ultra-processed foods played a role in your child’s condition.
- Do I need to pay upfront to hire an attorney?
- Nope! At Slater & Zurz, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay if we successfully secure compensation for your family.
- What if I’m not sure which company’s products caused my child’s condition?
- You’re not alone — many families don’t have all the answers, and that’s okay. Our team specializes in identifying the companies responsible, using evidence like purchase histories, advertising exposure, and expert analysis to build a strong case. You don’t need to know every detail; we’ll help you uncover the truth.
- How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
- Time is crucial in these cases, but the deadlines to file can vary depending on your state and circumstances. Our team will help ensure that your claim is filed within the required timeframe. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can start gathering the evidence needed to support your case — call us at 330-762-0700.