Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have unsettling similarities to cigarettes, according to a 2026 study. The research highlights how both are engineered to capture consumer attention and impact global health negatively.
UPFs, as defined by the NOVA classification, are foods made from ingredients that are mainly industrially produced. They are linked to a range of health issues, including heart disease, obesity, and even neurodegenerative disorders like dementia. In fact, regular consumption of these foods may increase the risk of premature death.
While many agree on the connection between UPFs and health problems, there’s ongoing debate about whether these foods are addictive. The study suggests that UPFs are designed similarly to cigarettes to promote habitual overconsumption, which poses a growing concern for public health. Many UPFs and tobacco products are actually produced by the same companies.
How UPFs and Cigarettes Are Engineered
This research took a closer look at how UPFs and cigarettes are created to maximize appeal and consumption. Five key areas were explored: dose optimization, delivery speed, hedonic engineering, environmental ubiquity, and deceptive marketing. Both products are crafted to create a strong reinforcing effect, encouraging compulsive consumption.
For instance, just as cigarettes deliver the optimal nicotine dose, UPFs are engineered to provide the right balance of refined sugars and fats, making them hard to resist. Intriguingly, both start as natural products but undergo extensive processing to enhance their addictive qualities and market appeal.
Marketing strategies also show similarities. Both industries have used “health washing” tactics—like claiming a product is “light” or “low-fat”—to mislead consumers about health benefits.
Lessons from Tobacco Regulation
The findings about UPFs can inform current public health policies. Researchers suggest looking at how tobacco products are regulated for strategies that might help with UPFs. Ideas include banning marketing to children, adding taxes, improving labels, and restricting availability in schools and hospitals.
Because UPFs pose significant health risks, the study argues that similar regulatory measures should be applied as those used for tobacco products.
In a world where diet-related diseases are on the rise, understanding the power of UPFs is crucial. In fact, a 2023 survey found that about 58% of adults recognize the health risks of ultra-processed foods but struggle to limit their intake, illustrating the compelling nature of these engineered products.Source.
In summary, the parallels between ultra-processed foods and cigarettes raise important questions about our dietary habits and public health. Adjusting how we approach UPFs could be vital in battling the epidemic of preventable diseases today.
References: Gearhardt A N et al. From tobacco to ultraprocessed food: how industry engineering fuels the epidemic of preventable disease. Millbank Q. 2026; doi: 10.1111/1468-0009.70066.
