#Washington #Ultra-Processed Foods #Metabolic Health #Lancet

Coalition for Metabolic Health Responds to The Lancet's Call for Action on Ultra-Processed Foods

This week, the respected British medical journal, The Lancet, unveiled a significant series discussing the troubling rise of ultra-processed foods and urging governmental action to address this pressing health crisis. In immediate reaction, Dr. Bret Scher, medical director of the Coalition for Metabolic Health (CMH), articulated the critical viewpoint that the traditional food system, dominated by large food industry entities, directly contributes to the widespread chronic diseases affecting the population today.

Dr. Scher's statement began emphatically:
>"We concur with The Lancet that the food system—and the influence of food industry corporations—is the root of the chronic disease crisis facing our country. Mass-market foods high in refined carbohydrates and added sugars have displaced whole, nutrient-rich foods, and Americans are paying the price with their health.”

Scher pointed out that while the series acknowledges the issue, it falls short in its approach to categorizing ultra-processed foods. The series leans heavily on the NOVA classification system. This system classifies foods based primarily on their level of industrial processing instead of focusing on direct health implications—such as blood sugar impact, insulin response, weight gain, and long-term metabolic health outcomes.

Although processing does influence health, it is not the sole determinant. The evidence suggests that refined carbohydrates and added sugars are more accurately linked to a range of health problems, including obesity and diabetes.

Dr. Scher stressed,
>"While the NOVA system can be a helpful starting point, it needs substantial refinement before being used to dictate food policies. The misclassification of certain foods can create confusion among consumers and policymakers alike. For example, a homemade brownie, which might be just as detrimental as a packaged dessert, does not fall into the ultra-processed category while sparkling water does. This misclassification complicates the issue even further.