How to combat or how to promote ultra-processed foods (UPFs) according to AI?

April 2, 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) suggests ways to either promote the consumption of artificial food or ultra-processed foods (UPFs) or to curtail it. AF and UPFs are said to be degrading human health, increasing healthcare costs, decreasing productivity, and shortening human longevity worldwide. To some extent, who cares? Humans will die eventually no matter what. They will be phased out by more intelligent and sustainable ways of life. Right? Wrong? UPFs can help humans enjoy their short lives and can help entrepreneurs and investors make money. Right? Wrong? What do you think? 

In this article:

   1. "SAD TERMS" This is what AI recommends for either increasing or decreasing consumption of artificial food and UPFs?

2. What is artificial food or UPF anyways?

1. SAD TERMS

To promote an increase in consumption of artificial food or UPFs, AI recommends: subsidies, advertising, and distribution (SAD). To promote a decrease in the consumption of artificial food or UPFs, AI recommends: taxation, education, regulation, marginalization, and stigmatization (TERMS).

Human societies have options when dealing with artificial food and UPFs. They can be against UPFs, neutral, or in favor of UPFs. AI can help either approach and makes corresponding suggestions when prompted adequately. 

To curtail UPFs, AI suggests that they may be treated like smoking. Taxes, education, regulation, marginalization, and stigmatization (TERMS). UPFs may be taxed to increase their prices and reduce consumption. Consumers can be educated to learn more about the adverse health impacts of UPFs, and trained about how to resist temptation. The production and marketing of UPFs may be heavily regulated to reduce production and consumption. The production and consumption of UPFs may be marginalized and stigmatized. Taxes, education, regulation, marginalization, and stigmatization (TERMS) of smoking has delivered measurable results in declining use of cigarettes and tobacco products. The same approach may be used to curtail consumption of UPFs. There will always be UPF consumers just like there will always be smokers, but there will be less of them and overall production and consumption will decrease.

If the relevant society prefers a neutral approach, UPFs may be treated as a basic human right and ignored unless grossly violated. That is, humans may be allowed to freely decide what to eat. Food producers should be allowed to produce what they consider marketable within existing legal frameworks. The government should not intervene. If citizens want to enjoy tasty UPFs so be it. Let the market satisfy those demands as is currently the case worldwide. If health costs and adverse consequences are too high, clever entrepreneurs will find ways to improve the situation. Keep the government out of it other than to promote general safety. To a large extent, that is the current approach in most countries and regions worldwide. 

If the relevant society wants to incentivize consumption of UPFs, AI suggests that governments can get involved to subsidize, advertise, and distribute (SAD). With subsidized production and marketing, sale of UPFs should increase. UPFs are so convenient and addictive that they will essentially sell themselves for quick profits and economic growth. There will be hidden costs in terms of adverse health effects and decreases in productivity and longevity but that would be for the society to ponder, consider, and compare against the perceived benefits of incentivizing UPF consumption.

2. What is artificial food or UPF anyways? 

Artificial food or ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are products that have undergone extensive processing and contain a high number of additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients. UPFs are often characterized by their long ingredient lists, lack of whole (minimally processed) ingredients, and high levels of sugar, salt, unhealthy fats (saturated and trans), and additives (hard-to-pronounce chemical ingredients). 

UPFs include staples such as packaged snacks (chips, cookies, candy), sugary breakfast cereals, fast food items (burgers, fries), pre-packaged meals and soups, instant noodles, frozen dinners, sugary drinks, and almost everything found in convenience food stores.

Big Business for Large and Small

UPFs are big business worldwide. The global food industry is estimated to be worth over $7 trillion worldwide. The global packaged food market is also on an upward trajectory, poised to surpass $5.28 trillion by 2032. The U.S. packaged food market was worth $1.08 trillion in 2022 and is expected to grow to $1.58 trillion by 2030.  The food market worldwide is projected to grow by 6.53% (2024-2028) resulting in a market volume of US$12.97tn in 2028. 

According to Technavio, the ultra-processed food market is expected to grow by $594.71 billion from 2024 to 2028, at a CAGR of 8.39%. The global processed food market is estimated to be worth $1,991.3 billion in 2022, and is projected to reach $2,577.9 billion by 2027, growing with a CAGR of 5.3%. According to MarketsandMarkets, the global processed food market is estimated to be valued at USD 1,991.3 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 2,577.9 billion by 2027. The market is expected to grow with a CAGR of 5.3%, in terms of value between 2022 and 2027. 

Asia Pacific has the largest share of the global processed food market due to population size, economic growth, and technological development. North America and Europe follow and have a bigger consumption per capita. Emerging markets in Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East have the highest growth potential regarding consumption of artificial food of UPFs. 

Large international conglomerates produced most UPFs. Many small business owners survive selling UPFs worldwide.Some of the world's largest manufacturers of UPFs include:Nestlé, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Unilever, Frito-Lay, Kraft Heinz, and Kellogg's. 7-Eleven is the largest convenience retail chain with almost 13,000 stores around the world. Of course, there are hundreds of thousands of smaller stores and establishments selling and surviving from UPF sales. 

Artificial Food is Convenient

Ultra-processed foods are prevalent in many modern diets due to their convenience, long shelf life, and palatability. Here are some examples of popular ultra-processed foods:

1. Sugary Breakfast Cereals: Most boxed breakfast cereals marketed to children and adults are ultra-processed, containing high levels of refined sugars, artificial flavors, and colors. 
2. Packaged Snacks: Most packaged snacks such as chips, crackers, cookies, and candy bars are often UPFs. These snacks typically contain refined grains, unhealthy fats, added sugars, and artificial additives. Examples include potato chips, cheese puffs, pretzels, and chocolate bars.
3. Fast Food: Fast food items such as burgers, fries, chicken nuggets, and pizza are typically UPFs 
4. Sugary Beverages: Soft drinks, energy drinks, sweetened iced teas, and fruit-flavored drinks are typically UPFs. These drinks are high in sugar and calories and provide little to no nutritional benefit.
5. Packaged meals. Frozen meals, canned soups, and the like marketed as convenient options for busy individuals are often UPFs. These meals may include frozen pizzas, microwaveable burritos, pasta dishes, TV dinners, instant noodles, and canned soups.
6. Processed Meats: Processed meats such as hot dogs, sausages, bacon, and deli meats are UPFs. 
7. Desserts and Sweet Treats: Desserts such as cakes, pastries, ice cream, and candy are UPFs.

Artificial Food is a Global Phenomenon

As stated above, UPFs are not only deliciously addictive for humans, but they are also very convenient to market and sell for a quick and easy profit. In the human world, convenience always prevails. Therefore, UPFs are heavily consumed worldwide. In some high-income countries, UPFs make up 50–60% of daily energy intake. The consumption of UPFs has increased worldwide, and middle-income and low-income countries are following suit. The trend will continue growing. You can bet on it. You can invest in the food industry and the UPF sector worldwide. 

• The United States leads the world in UPF production and consumption per capita. The United States essentially created the artificial food "genre" and tend to manufactured the most popular and addictive UPFs on planet Earth. American fast food chains, convenience stores, and supermarkets offer a wide variety of incredibly delicious, appetizing, and highly addictive UPF. It has been estimated that about 70% of the United States food supply is ultra-processed.

• Canada has a significant market for UPF, with a wide range of processed snacks, convenience meals, and sugary beverages available to consumers. American and Canadian fast food chains and convenience stores are popular sources of ultra-processed foods in Canada.

• The United Kingdom has seen a rise in the consumption of UPFs in recent decades, mirroring trends seen in other Western countries. Processed snacks, ready meals, and fast food are widely available and consumed by UK residents.

• Sweden is often portrayed as having developed a passion for UPFs in the last decades, oftentimes ranked as the European nation with the highest rates of UPF consumption. 

• Mexico has one of the highest rates of ultra-processed food consumption in Latin America. The country's food culture has shifted towards convenience foods, leading to high consumption of processed snacks, sugary drinks, and fast food.

• Brazil has seen a significant increase in the consumption of UPFs in recent years, driven by urbanization, changing lifestyles, and the availability of cheap, convenient food options. Processed snacks, sugary beverages, and fast food are popular choices among Brazilians.

• Australia has experienced a rise in the consumption of ultra-processed foods alongside changes in dietary habits and food preferences. Processed snacks, sugary drinks, and fast food are commonly consumed by Australians, particularly in urban areas.

The whole Asia Pacific region is reigning in UPF consumption. According to a 2019 study, the consumption of UPFs in a decade had increased the most in South and Southeast Asia, at 67.3%, followed by North Africa and the Middle East, at 57.6%. Asian countries have also topped the list of UPF sales growth since 2009, with India leading at 7.8%, followed by Pakistan at 6.3%, and Indonesia at 4.5%. Many middle-income countries in Asia, including China, Malaysia, and Thailand, have also seen rapid increases in UPF sales. 

Multifaceted Complex Phenomenon

There are many factors behind the proliferation of UPFs worldwide over the past few decades. 

• Economic Development: Economic development and rising incomes in many countries have led to changes in dietary habits, with increased consumption of UPFs perceived as symbols of modernization and prosperity. As disposable incomes rise, consumers have more purchasing power to afford convenience foods and eating out at fast food restaurants.

• Rapid Urbanization: As more people migrate to urban areas, there has been a shift in dietary patterns towards convenience foods, including ultra-processed products. Urban lifestyles often prioritize convenience and fast-paced living, leading to increased consumption of packaged snacks, fast food, and ready-to-eat meals.

• Changing Demographics: Changes in population demographics, including smaller households, dual-income families, and an aging population, have contributed to the rise in demand for convenient and easy-to-prepare foods. Ultra-processed foods offer quick and convenient meal solutions for busy lifestyles and households with limited time for cooking.

• Globalization of Food Supply: The globalization of food supply chains has led to increased availability and accessibility of ultra-processed foods in countries around the world. Multinational food corporations distribute their products globally, making ultra-processed foods ubiquitous in supermarkets, convenience stores, and fast food outlets worldwide.

• Marketing and Advertising: Aggressive marketing and advertising by food companies have played a significant role in promoting ultra-processed foods and shaping consumer preferences. Companies often target children and adolescents with marketing campaigns for sugary snacks, sweetened beverages, and fast food, influencing their food choices and consumption habits.

• Westernization of Diets: Western dietary patterns, characterized by high consumption of processed and convenience foods, have been adopted by populations in many parts of the world. This has led to the global spread of fast food chains, packaged snacks, sugary beverages, and other ultra-processed products, contributing to the rise in consumption of these foods.

Overall, the consumption of UPFs is a complex and multifaceted global trend driven by various economic, social, cultural, and environmental factors. Efforts to address the health implications of UPF consumption require comprehensive strategies involving public health policies, food industry regulations, consumer education, and promotion of healthier eating habits.

Addictive Food Engineering 

Humans get easily hooked and addicted to UPFs.  UPFs are engineered to be yummy, irresistible, and addictive. They are also convenient to sell because they are shelf-stable. UPFs often lack nutritional value and can have negative effects on health. 

UPFs tend to be high in empty (non-nutritional) calories and low in fiber, and natural vitamins and minerals. UPFs often contain ingredients such as refined sugars, high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives, emulsifiers, stabilizers, and other additives. These ingredients are used to enhance taste, texture, shelf life, and the addictive properties of UPFs. 

Adverse Consequences

Artificial food items have been linked to negative health outcomes for humans. Consumption of UPFs contributes to weight gain, obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions. Thousands of well documented and highly vetted and verified scientific research studies have linked the consumption of ultra-processed foods to an increased risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. 

The growing prevalence of UPFs in the global food supply has raised concerns among public health experts and policymakers. Efforts to reduce consumption of these foods and promote healthier eating habits include public education campaigns, food labeling initiatives, taxation on unhealthy foods, and policies to regulate marketing and advertising targeted at children and young families.

The production and consumption of UPFs can have negative environmental consequences, including greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, deforestation, and habitat destruction. The processing and packaging of these foods also generate significant amounts of waste and pollution.

Conclusion

Overall, while UPFs may be delicious, relatively affordable, and super convenient, they are generally considered to be detrimental to human health and human societies. Encouraging individuals to prioritize whole, minimally processed foods, and quit UPFs is considered essential for improving public health outcomes and reducing the burden of diet-related chronic diseases. It is up to countries and societies to decide how they want to address UPFs. Whatever humans decide to do, AI will be there to help.

Stay tuned.

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