Brazil’s Supreme Court Orders Jair Bolsonaro to Begin 27-Year Prison Term 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Bristol Myers Faces $6.7 Billion Lawsuit After Judge Allows Key Shareholder Claims to Proceed 
Japan’s Service Sector Sustains Growth Momentum in November 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
Union Urges Court to Compel Trump Administration to Restore CFPB Funding 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
IKEA Launches First New Zealand Store, Marking Expansion Into Its 64th Global Market 
EU Prepares Antitrust Probe Into Meta’s AI Integration on WhatsApp 
Key Witness Seeks to Block Evidence in Potential Revival of Comey Case 
Trump Vows Pardon for Former Honduran President as Honduras Faces Tight Election 
A lawsuit filed in Philadelphia accuses Coca-Cola, Mondelez, and Nestle of knowingly marketing ultra-processed foods designed to be addictive to children. The case argues these companies’ practices contribute to chronic diseases, calling their tactics similar to those used by the tobacco industry.
Lawsuit Targets Coca-Cola, Mondelez, and Nestle in Addictive Food Claims
On Tuesday, a new lawsuit was filed in the United States against major food giants like Kraft Heinz, Mondelez, and Coca-Cola, Reuters shares. The lawsuit claims that these firms developed and marketed "ultra-processed" meals with the express purpose of making them addictive and causing long-term health problems in children.
Bryce Martinez of Pennsylvania has filed a complaint in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. He claims that the firms' goods caused him to develop type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, both of which he was diagnosed with when he was 16 years old.
His attorneys from the prominent American plaintiffs' company Morgan & Morgan called it a first of its sort.
Post Holdings, General Mills, PepsiCo, Mars, Kellanova, Conagra, and the U.S. branch of Nestle are among the other corporations being sued. Requests for comment were not promptly addressed by the defendants.
Coca-Cola and Mondelez Among Companies Implicated in Processed Foods Lawsuit
More and more research has connected eating a lot of processed foods to various long-term health issues. Many packaged snack foods, candies, and soft drinks are categorized as "ultra-processed" because they contain ingredients that are either artificially produced or taken from foods.
According to Investing.com, former U.S. FDA commissioner Robert Califf has speculated that eating highly processed meals can lead to addiction. Donald Trump has nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the US Department of Health and Human Services, and Kennedy Jr. has previously voiced his disapproval of the food business and the FDA's lack of regulation in this sector.
Martinez claims in her lawsuit that food manufacturers have known their products are bad for a long time and made an effort to make them highly addictive. Claiming to be influenced by the "cigarette playbook" of former Kraft Heinz and Mondelez owners R.J. Reynolds and tobacco behemoth Philip Morris, it accuses them of doing the same.
Philadelphia Lawsuit Demands Accountability for Chronic Health Problems
The case encompasses allegations of unfair commercial practices, negligent and fraudulent misrepresentation, conspiracy, and negligence. It demands monetary compensation and punitive damages in an undisclosed amount.
