Big Food vs. the People
4 hours ago
- Big Food companies filed 239 lawsuits between 2010 and 2025 across six countries (Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, US, UK, India) against public health policies like front-of-pack labeling, junk food advertising restrictions, and soda taxes.
- The lawsuits amount to 595 years of litigation, burdening governments and costing billions in legal and healthcare costs, while chilling policymaker action.
- More than one-third of cases with identifiable plaintiffs came from just nine parent groups, led by Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Mondelez, who publicly claim to support health but privately use legal tactics to delay or derail laws.
- Mexico had the most lawsuits (193), largely against labeling regulations; Brazil had 17 cases dragging on for decades; Colombia had 18 challenges often brought by industry-linked lawyers; the US saw soda industry lawsuits and lobbying; the UK faced pre-action letters from Kellogg's and Ferrero; India delayed front-of-pack labeling amid industry pressure.