Lead Story:

US tobacco companies selectively disseminated hyper-palatable foods into the US food system: Empirical evidence and current implications

Addiction

Hyper-palatable foods (HPF) contain fat and sodium, fat and simple sugars, and carbohydrate and sodium at specific thresholds to induce hyperpalatability, creating an artificially rewarding experience. This study compared tobacco companies who owned food companies to food companies not owned by tobacco companies, with regard to hyperpalatability between 1988 and 2001. Upon review of industry documents, this study found that tobacco companies “selectively disseminated” HPF into the US market. Tobacco-owned foods were 29% more likely to be classified as fat and sodium HPF and 80% more likely to be classified as carbohydrate and sodium HPF than foods that were not tobacco-owned. As late as 2018, market saturation of fat and sodium HPF was close to 60% and carbohydrate and sodium HPF was almost 20% regardless of tobacco ownership. Further research should consider the links between industries to appreciate potential impact on public health.

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