On Tuesday, the city of San Francisco initiated legal action against 10 major food corporations, accusing them of marketing and distributing ultra-processed foods that are detrimental to human health and can lead to addiction.

The lawsuit claims these products are fueling a public health crisis in San Francisco and nationwide, burdening cities and governments with increased healthcare costs associated with diets rich in processed foods. This marks a pioneering effort to hold food corporations accountable for the widespread availability and recognized health hazards of such products.

“Scientific research on the dangers of these products has reached a critical point,” stated San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu during a news conference on Tuesday morning. He emphasized that “These items in our diets are closely linked to severe health issues and impose substantial costs on millions of Americans, as well as on municipalities and states across the nation.”

The category of “ultra-processed foods” typically includes flavored chips, sugary granola bars, and soda. These products contain synthetic ingredients, preservatives, and additives, and are frequently high in saturated fats, sodium, and sugar. Research has associated these foods with: increased risks of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular illness, along with premature death and other health issues.

Filed in San Francisco County Superior Court, the lawsuit asserts that the companies were aware these products were “unsafe for human consumption” and employed “misleading strategies” to market and sell their items.

The defendants include Kraft Heinz Company, Mondelez International, Post Holdings, The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, General Mills, Nestlé USA, Kellogg, Mars Incorporated, and ConAgra Brands.

NBC News reached out to each of the companies for their comments; however, no immediate responses were received.

Sarah Gallo, senior vice president of product policy at the Consumer Brands Association, a trade group representing major food and beverage brands, stated, “The makers of America’s trusted household brands are helping Americans make healthier choices and enhance product transparency.”

Gallo further noted, “Currently, there is no agreement on the scientific definition of ultra-processed foods, and any attempts to label processed foods as unhealthy, or to vilify them by overlooking their complete nutritional value, misleads consumers and worsens health disparities. Companies adhere to stringent, evidence-based safety standards established by the FDA to offer safe, affordable, and convenient products that consumers rely on daily. Americans deserve information grounded in sound science to make optimal health choices.”

This lawsuit emerges amid growing scrutiny of ultra-processed foods from across the political spectrum. Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has criticized these foods, making them a central element of his “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, which includes a proposal to ban artificial colors from the food supply within the next year.

Now, attorneys in California cities recognized for their progressive stances are also addressing this matter.

Laura Schmidt, a professor at the Health Policy Institute at the University of California, San Francisco, commented on the bipartisan trend: “Regardless of the motivation, we share a common goal. This issue has not traditionally been politicized.”

She added, “Until now, it felt like we were observing a slow-motion train wreck. I’ve been discussing childhood diabetes for decades. The rates continue to escalate. Pediatric fatty liver disease and childhood obesity—it’s evident that there is a significant problem with this segment of our food supply.”

Ms. Schmidt expressed disagreement with the industry group’s claim that there is no scientific basis for the term “ultra-processed” foods.

She remarked that the city attorney’s lawsuit resembles those previously filed against the tobacco industry.

“I feel encouraged whenever I witness public officials like the San Francisco city and state-level attorneys engaging in litigation, as this is what captured the attention of tobacco companies in the 1990s,” said Schmidt. (Notably, tobacco giants Philip Morris and RJ Reynolds acquired several food companies in the 1980s; Philip Morris acquired Kraft Foods in 1988 and spun off the brand in 2007.)

Barry Popkin, a nutrition professor at the University of North Carolina, noted that ultra-processed foods began infiltrating the U.S. market in the 1980s and have since become pervasive. Researchers began examining their detrimental health effects approximately 10 to 15 years ago, he added.

“Currently, around 75% to 80% of children’s diets consist of ultra-processed foods, while 55% to 60% of adults’ diets are similarly comprised,” Popkin stated. “It’s impossible to draw comparisons between eating habits during World War II, post-war, and the subsequent decades to today’s dietary norms.”

Last month, the scientific journal The Lancet published a thorough review of the health ramifications of ultra-processed foods, analyzing hundreds of studies along with national food survey data.

The review’s authors indicated that globally, ultra-processed foods are deteriorating diets, promoting overeating, and exposing consumers to harmful substances. This culminates in an escalation of chronic diseases; as research suggests.

Popkin contributed to some of the studies referenced in The Lancet.

“We are in poor health, and our diets significantly contribute to this. While we’ve tackled smoking, cholesterol issues, and heart ailments with medication, our food choices are detrimental to our health,” he remarked. “The most reputable and frequently cited medical journals have deemed this a subject worthy of global presentation.”