MANITOULIN—A new Canadian study has found that ultra-processed foods (UPF) are a major contributor to heart disease and stroke, leading to urgent calls for stronger regulations. The research, led by Dr. Jean-Claude Moubarac from the Université de Montréal, is the first of its kind in Canada to quantify the impact of UPF consumption on cardiovascular health.
The findings are staggering: UPF consumption is linked to 37 percent of new cases of heart disease and stroke and 38 percent of related deaths. This translates to an estimated 96,043 new cardiovascular disease (CVD) cases, 17,417 deaths, and 388,654 years of life lost or affected by disability in 2019 alone.
The cost of convenience: Canada’s growing dependence on UPF
Ultra-processed foods, including sugary drinks, packaged snacks, fast food and ready-to-eat meals, now make up nearly half (43.4 percent) of the daily calorie intake of Canadian adults. The study warns that if consumption were to increase by 50 percent, the burden of CVD would rise dramatically, leading to 19,979 additional cases and 3,489 more deaths annually. Conversely, cutting UPF intake by half could prevent 45,000 cases of heart disease and stroke and save more than 8,000 lives per year.
“Our results are disheartening,” said Dr. Moubarac. “Canadians consume a lot of UPF—almost half of their daily energy intake. Considering the substantial burden of heart disease and stroke on society, we urgently need policies to reduce UPF consumption and exposure in food environments.”
Food deserts and the struggle for healthy options in Northern Ontario and remote communities
While UPF is a nationwide problem, the report highlights an even greater issue in food-insecure regions, particularly in Northern Ontario and remote communities, where access to fresh, nutritious food is limited. Many of these areas are classified as “food deserts,” where grocery stores with fresh produce are scarce, leaving residents reliant on processed foods that are cheaper, more available and have a longer shelf life.
In these regions, food costs are significantly higher due to transportation expenses, making fresh fruits, vegetables and other minimally processed foods inaccessible for many. A head of lettuce in a remote Northern Ontario community, for example, can cost three to four times more than in urban centers. As a result, UPF, which is widely distributed in these areas, has become a dietary staple, exacerbating health disparities.
The reality is that many communities have no choice but to consume ultra-processed foods because they are the most affordable and accessible option.
Policy recommendation: A path toward healthier food environments
Dr. Moubarac and his team are calling for a multi-pronged policy approach to curb UPF consumption, including:
Restricting marketing to children: Many UPF products are aggressively marketed to children, contributing to lifelong poor dietary habits.
Implementing taxes on sugary drinks: Countries that have introduced sugar taxes, such as Mexico and the UK, have seen declines in soda consumption.
Subsidizing fresh produce: Financial incentives for fruits, vegetables, and whole foods could help offset the affordability gap, particularly in food-insecure regions.
Expanding the National School Food Program: Ensuring that children have access to nutritious, minimally processed meals at school can help shape lifelong healthy eating patterns.
Moving forward: Government action needed
Experts argue that addressing ultra-processed food consumption is not just a matter of personal responsibility but a systemic issue requiring government intervention.
“Policies like front-of-package warning labels and Canada’s updated Food Guide have been steps in the right direction, but we need more comprehensive action to shift dietary patterns,” said Doug Roth, CEO of Heart and Stroke. “We urge the government to make it easier for Canadians to make healthier choices and reduce the burden of heart disease and stroke.”
With rising concerns over the impact of processed foods and growing health inequities in remote and Indigenous communities, the report underscores the urgent need for policy reforms that prioritize public health over industry interests. Without intervention, the high consumption of UPF will continue to fuel chronic disease rates and widen health disparities across Canada.
