San Francisco Files Lawsuit Accusing Food Companies of Creating Healthcare Crisis
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — December 3, 2025 — San Francisco city officials have filed a civil lawsuit against 10 of the nation’s largest food companies, accusing them of creating a public healthcare crisis through the production and marketing of ultra-processed foods. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in San Francisco County Superior Court, claims these companies knowingly manufactured and promoted products that contribute to serious health conditions, officials said.
San Francisco Attorney David Chiu, who filed the suit on behalf of the city, compared the food industry’s conduct to that of the tobacco industry, stating that the companies were aware their products caused harm but concealed this information from the public while profiting extensively. “Like the tobacco industry, they knew their products made people very sick but hid the truth from the public, profited from untold billions and left Americans to deal with the consequences,” Chiu said during a news conference.
The lawsuit identifies the defendants as Kraft Heinz Co., The Coca-Cola Co., PepsiCo, General Mills, Post Holdings, Mondelez International, Nestle USA, ConAgra Brands, Mars Inc., and the Kellogg Co. According to the complaint, these companies engineered and marketed ultra-processed foods that have led to widespread health issues including cancer, type 2 diabetes, and depression.
Chiu described ultra-processed foods as items that have been altered with chemical additives and contain little nutritional value, often making the food unrecognizable and harmful to the human body. Examples include many potato chips, breakfast cereals, sodas, candies, processed meats, cheeses, and boxed macaroni products. He emphasized that while Americans want to avoid these foods, they are inundated with them.
The lawsuit asserts that the defendants profited significantly from these products and should be held accountable for the resulting health consequences. The city’s action follows studies indicating that high consumption of ultra-processed foods is linked to increased risks of premature death and other health problems.
The case highlights growing concerns over the impact of diet on public health and the role of food manufacturers in contributing to chronic diseases through product formulation and marketing practices.
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