How Junk Food Conquers Every Corner of the World

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are quickly becoming the backbone of a globalised diet, dominating food supply chains and reshaping traditional cuisines. But with UPFs having a growing influence in low-income regions, diets are being transformed in profound and problematic ways.

In 2018, while staying with a host family in southern India, I was immersed in the vibrant local food culture—meals of puttu, kadala curry and appam. Yet when we ventured into larger cities or supermarkets, I couldn’t help but notice the intrusion of something all too familiar: the golden arches of McDonald's, the familiar red of Coca-Cola cans, and the omnipresent influence of Nestlé products. The rich culinary landscape of India was also feeling the pull of these global food giants.

The familiar golden arches of McDonald’s in Mumbai India. Photo via Getty. 

This pattern repeated during my travels to Lebanon, where childhood snacks I had enjoyed in Spain and Canada like 7Days Croissants evoked nostalgia among locals as much as they did for me. The reach of ultra-processed foods, it seemed, knew no borders.

The strategic spread of Western diets

Though ultra-processed foods are often associated with western, high-income diets, they increasingly become staples in low- and middle-income regions. These foods—affordable, accessible, and often seen as symbols of modernity—are displacing traditional diets.¹ Between 2011 and 2016, fast food sales grew by 30% globally, compared to a more modest 21% in the United States.² Multinational corporations like Nestlé, PepsiCo, and Domino's Pizza are rapidly expanding into developing nations, seeking new markets as growth in wealthier countries with saturated markets slows down.

These expansion strategies signal a troubling shift: the total sales of ultra-processed foods in emerging economies is projected to match those in wealthier countries already this year.³ And with this, the consequences for public health and nutrition are already becoming clear. Research increasingly links UPFs, often loaded with sugars, unhealthy fats, and salt while lacking essential nutrients like fibre, protein, and vitamins, to a wide range of health issues. These foods trigger high spikes in blood sugar, offer little in terms of satiety, and contribute to gut imbalances that foster inflammatory diseases.¹

Read more on this in: What You Need To Know About Ultra-Processed Foods

Why ultra-processed foods are gaining ground

Several factors explain the rising appetite for UPFs in lower-income regions. Urban migration, increased incomes, and a growing demand for convenience have all played a role. These changes both drive and respond to the growing presence of UPFs. The fast pace of urban life often leaves little time for cooking, and UPFs fit seamlessly into this reality: they’re cheap, require minimal preparation, and are widely available just about anywhere in the world in urban settings. But on top of these cultural shifts, there are a number of ways companies are able to influence these markets more directly.¹

Large investments

The expansion of these food giants is supported by large investments. Multinational companies have set up local production facilities and formed partnerships with domestic competitors. Nestlé, for example, acquired the Chinese confectionery company Hsu Fu Chi, further strengthening its presence and securing long-term operations in the region. By acquiring established local brands, Nestlé not only gains access to an existing customer base but also becomes more deeply embedded in the local economy and supply chains, making it harder for others to compete.⁴

These big investments often give companies political influence too. As governments look to attract foreign money, they may offer special deals or flexibility on rules to favour these large corporations bringing their business to the region. Sometimes, this can mean overlooking important public issues like health, as the focus shifts to bringing in more investment at any cost.⁴

Wide distribution networks

The establishment of extensive distribution networks is another factor. With resources to spend on investment in distribution, large food corporations have been able to push ultra-processed foods to remote corners of the world. In Brazil, Nestlé has employed door-to-door salespeople to reach households in favelas, ensuring their products reach every corner of society.

Marketing

Digital marketing also plays a crucial role. By harnessing vast amounts of behavioural data, companies are able to tailor advertising to individual consumers, increasing their reach and effectiveness. Major sporting event sponsorships, like Coca-Cola’s sponsorship of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, further elevate these brands in the eyes of consumers, associating them with desirable, modern lifestyles.^{4, 5}

Coca-Cola has sponsored the Olympic Games since 1928. Last year the company had more sports sponsorships than any other brand, including sportswear companies such as Nike. Photo via Getty. 

The nutrition transition and its consequences

The rise of ultra-processed foods marks what some researchers call a 'nutrition transition'— a shift away from traditional diets toward those high in calories, sugar, and fat. In many African countries, free trade agreements, such as those that lower tariffs on imported goods, along with aggressive marketing campaigns, have accelerated the influx of these products. While they are often perceived as symbols of a fast-paced, globalised lifestyle, their growing presence threatens to dismantle local food systems that have sustained cultures and economies for generations.^1,6 

The health impacts are hard to overlook. Around the world, more people are now obese than underweight. Global estimates published in The Lancet have reported that more than a billion people worldwide are considered obese, with 108 million of them children.⁷ The prevalence of obesity has doubled in 73 countries since 1980, leading to a rise in chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. But the problem isn’t just obesity - many people are simultaneously overweight and undernourished, consuming too many empty calories and not enough essential nutrients.³ 

Beyond health: environmental, economic, and political ramifications

The expansion of ultra-processed foods is as much an economic story as it is a nutritional one. As global food companies move deeper into developing markets, they are reshaping local agriculture. Farmers are abandoning subsistence crops—traditionally grown for their own families' food needs, such as rice, maize, or vegetables—in favour of cash commodities like sugar cane, corn, and soybeans, which are sold for profit and used as key ingredients in ultra-processed foods. This shift is not only changing diets but also the economic landscape, pulling in small family-run vendors, and big retailers alike.⁸ 

In countries like China, South Africa, and Colombia, the rising power of these food companies extends into the political realm. Efforts to reduce the consumption of processed foods, like soda taxes or labelling rules, are often blocked by the influence of these companies.³ 

Read more on this in: Is It Time For Governments To Act On Junk Food? 

Moreover, the environmental impact is severe. Ultra-processed foods are tied to industrial agriculture, which relies on monocultures of a few staple crops. This type of farming is heavily reliant on chemical inputs and is a major contributor to carbon emissions. As the demand for UPFs grows, so does the strain on the environment.¹

The path forward

There are no easy solutions to counter the global spread of ultra-processed foods. Governments face significant opposition from powerful food corporations, and implementing taxes or regulations can be difficult, especially in countries with fragmented or informal food sectors. However, there are success stories to learn from. Chile, for example, has implemented front-of-package labelling that clearly identifies unhealthy foods, and Mexico has introduced a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages.⁹

If emerging economies fail to address the growing double burden of malnutrition—where obesity coexists with undernourishment—the health and economic costs will be severe. However, with targeted interventions and a focus on preserving traditional food systems, there may still be time to slow down or stop the march of ultra-processed foods and mitigate their impact on global health and traditional diets.^{4, 7}