Advocating for South Carolina Families Harmed by Ultra Processed Foods

Ultra processed foods have quietly dominated American diets, now comprising over 73% of the U.S. food supply and 67% of children’s diets. These industrially manufactured products have become the focus of groundbreaking litigation after evidence emerged suggesting food companies deliberately engineered them to trigger addiction, particularly in children.

Joye Law Firm is investigating cases where South Carolina children and young adults developed Type 2 Diabetes or Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease after consuming ultra processed foods. These conditions, once rarely seen in young people, have increased dramatically alongside the rise in ultra processed food consumption.

If your child was diagnosed with either of these serious health conditions before turning 21, our South Carolina Ultra Processed Foods attorneys are prepared to help your family seek justice and compensation for the harm these products have caused.

The Hidden Dangers Behind Ultra Processed Foods

Ultra processed foods (UPFs) are not simply preserved or packaged natural foods. They are industrial formulations created primarily from substances extracted from foods or synthesized in laboratories, containing minimal whole food ingredients. These products typically include numerous additives like preservatives, emulsifiers, artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners designed to enhance taste, appearance, and shelf life.

The prevalence of these products surged in the 1980s and 1990s when tobacco conglomerates acquired food companies and applied addiction science to food production. This led to the proliferation of products like sugary breakfast cereals, flavored snack chips, ready-to-eat meals, and soft drinks that now fill grocery store shelves and school cafeterias.

Medical research has established concerning links between UPF consumption and serious health conditions:
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published findings showing adolescents with high UPF consumption had significantly higher risks of developing metabolic disorders, including Type 2 Diabetes.

Research in Hepatology demonstrated that children with regular UPF consumption showed earlier onset and more severe cases of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease compared to those with lower consumption.

Studies reveal that approximately 12% of American children show behavioral indicators of addiction to ultra processed foods, with Black and Hispanic children being particularly targeted by marketing campaigns.
Most alarmingly, these products are engineered with precisely calculated combinations of salt, sugar, fat, and flavor enhancers that trigger dopamine release in the brain’s reward centers, similar to how addictive substances function. This creates a cycle of craving and consumption that can lead to lifelong health problems.

Food manufacturers have allegedly known about these risks for decades but continued to develop and market these products to maximize profits at the expense of public health, particularly children’s health.

Legal Foundations for Ultra Processed Foods Lawsuits

The emerging Ultra Processed Foods litigation rests on several established legal principles that protect consumers from dangerous products. As South Carolina Ultra Processed Foods lawyers, Joye Law Firm is pursuing these cases based on the following legal frameworks:
Product Liability Claims

The lawsuits allege that food manufacturers created defective products by deliberately designing foods that override natural satiety signals and potentially cause addiction. Under product liability law, companies can be held responsible for designing, manufacturing, and selling products that are unreasonably dangerous to consumers when used as intended. The litigation contends that by engineering foods to be potentially addictive, particularly when marketed to children, manufacturers created inherently dangerous products.
Negligence

Food companies have a duty to produce reasonably safe products and to warn consumers about potential risks. The litigation claims these companies breached this duty by knowingly creating addictive food products that could lead to serious health conditions while failing to disclose these risks. The landmark lawsuit filed by Morgan & Morgan against Kraft Heinz and Mondelēz International in early 2024 specifically alleges these companies knowingly created products that could cause health problems in children.
Deceptive Marketing Practices

Many ultra processed foods are marketed with misleading health claims or presented as appropriate for regular consumption. Terms like “part of a complete breakfast” or “made with whole grains” can create false impressions about nutritional value. The lawsuits allege companies intentionally downplayed risks while emphasizing taste and convenience, violating consumer protection laws that prohibit deceptive marketing.
Failure to Warn

Manufacturers have a legal obligation to warn consumers about known or reasonably foreseeable risks associated with their products. The litigation claims that food companies failed to adequately disclose that regular consumption of their ultra processed products could lead to serious health conditions like Type 2 Diabetes and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, particularly in young people.
Targeted Marketing to Vulnerable Populations

A significant aspect of these cases involves the deliberate targeting of children through cartoon characters, toy promotions, and school marketing initiatives. This targeting of a vulnerable population that lacks the capacity to make informed health decisions represents a particularly troubling element of the legal claims.

The legal theories in this litigation have precedent in successful cases against tobacco companies and pharmaceutical manufacturers who similarly marketed potentially harmful products despite knowledge of risks. The Joye Law Firm’s South Carolina Ultra Processed Foods attorneys are working to hold food manufacturers accountable for putting profits above the health and wellbeing of children.

Determining Your Eligibility for an Ultra Processed Foods Lawsuit

Joye Law Firm is currently evaluating potential Ultra Processed Foods cases for South Carolina families who meet specific eligibility criteria. Understanding these qualification requirements is essential if you believe your child’s health has been affected by ultra processed foods.

Primary Qualification Criteria:

  • Medical Diagnosis: The individual must have been diagnosed with either Type 2 Diabetes or Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease before their 21st birthday. Pre-diabetes does not qualify as Type 2 Diabetes for this litigation.
  • Diagnosis Timing: The exact month and year of diagnosis are crucial details for your claim. Our team will need this information to properly evaluate your case and determine eligibility.
  • Medical Documentation: Proper medical records confirming the diagnosis from a licensed healthcare provider are necessary. This documentation should include the specific diagnosis, date of diagnosis, and subsequent treatment history.

Consumption History: While not required to begin case evaluation, information about regular consumption of ultra processed foods strengthens your case. This includes consumption of products such as:

  • Packaged snack foods
  • Sugary breakfast cereals
  • Fast food meals
  • Soft drinks and sweetened beverages
  • Ready-to-eat packaged meals
  • Processed meat products
  • Other highly processed food items

If your child meets these criteria, Joye Law Firm’s South Carolina Ultra Processed Foods lawyers can evaluate your case to determine if you have grounds to pursue compensation. Potential damages in these cases may include:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Lost educational opportunities
  • Diminished quality of life
  • Other damages related to these serious health conditions

It’s important to act promptly, as there are time limitations for filing such claims. Our experienced team can guide you through the entire legal process while you focus on your child’s health and wellbeing.

Find Out If Your Family Qualifies Today

Don’t delay in determining if your family is eligible for compensation in this significant litigation. If your child received a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes or Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease before age 21, complete our quick online case evaluation now to see if you qualify to seek justice from food manufacturers.

Our South Carolina Ultra Processed Foods attorneys at Joye Law Firm will review your information and guide you through the next steps toward obtaining the compensation your family deserves.
Check Your Eligibility Now
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