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.