Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are now a major driver of chronic illness in Ireland — linked to inflammation, autoimmune conditions, digestive disorders, hormonal imbalances, mental-health decline, and long-term metabolic disease.

Despite this, UPFs continue to be marketed aggressively across Ireland, especially to vulnerable communities and children.

Food producers are misleading consumers with packaging that presents UPFs as “healthy,” “gluten free,” “natural,” or “homemade,” when the ingredient lists tell a different story.

As someone living with chronic illness who founded an artisan food business in 2011, I have witnessed firsthand how dangerous ultra-processed ingredients are to people who rely on anti-inflammatory diets.

I have watched my own products — created with integrity and whole ingredients — be replicated at scale by companies using additives, gums, preservatives, emulsifiers, seed oils, stabilisers and other harmful UPF components.

Most concerning of all:

A significant portion of food sold in Irish restaurants, cafés, delis, and catering outlets is ultra-processed — and customers have no idea.

This is a public health emergency.

We call on the Minister for Health to take the following actions:

1. Ban the advertising of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) across Ireland.

Ireland led on tobacco regulation — we must now lead on UPFs, which are silently damaging health nationwide.

 

2. Introduce a Health Tax on all ultra-processed food manufacturers.

This tax must be ring-fenced to support:

• Chronic illness services.
• Dietetic and nutritional care
• Preventative health programs
• Research into food-related disease.
• Public education campaigns
  
  

3. Mandate transparency for restaurants, cafés, delis, and catering services.

Customers should be clearly informed when food contains UPFs or pre-manufactured ultra-processed bases.

 

4. Support Ireland’s artisan and whole-food producers.

Government grants should be available to:

• Small food businesses producing genuinely wholesome, minimally processed foods.
• Cafés, Bakeries, Foodtrucks, Market Stalls and Delis that can prove their ingredients are whole, anti-inflammatory, and free from harmful additives.
• Irish producers prioritising local sourcing and nutritional integrity

5. Protect people with chronic illnesses who rely on anti-inflammatory foods.

These communities are being misled by food marketing and harmed by hidden ingredients.

Why this matters

The rise in inflammatory and chronic illnesses in Ireland — including autoimmune disease, endometriosis, coeliac-related complications, metabolic disorders and more — can be negatively impacted due to the increased consumption of ultra-processed foods, foods that many customers are unaware that they are consuming without the knowledge or understanding of the ingredients contained causing inflammation to be further triggered.

We cannot continue allowing corporations to profit from products that are destroying public health.

Ireland has the opportunity to become a global leader in real, wholesome, transparent food systems — but only if bold action is taken now.

We urge the Minister for Health to implement these measures immediately to protect the people of Ireland.

📣 Sign this petition. Share it. Demand accountability.

Ireland deserves food that heals — not food that harms.