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The word "treaty" has become something of an insult.
Say “processed food” and most of us imagine cheap, unhealthy junk food. Fresh food straight from the garden or field is fine. After we put it through a processing plant or lab, we stripped it of its outstanding qualities and added a bunch of bad ones. This means that meat alternatives are no better than junk food. Processed foods aren't just limited to Coca-Cola, milk chocolate, and convenience foods. Most plant and animal products undergo some form of processing to turn them into something we can – and want – to eat. We grind grain into flour to make bread. We slaughter and take animal bones for meat. We pasteurize milk.
We were able to preserve food and increase shelf life, reducing food waste. We have reduced the spread of food borne illnesses. People with allergies and food intolerance can now have a balanced diet. We don't have to spend all day preparing food – this is especially important for women's academic and professional growth. Last but not least:
taste. Our shelves are now filled with delicious food.
It is true that increased consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with poor health outcomes. It has been linked to consuming fewer essential nutrients, such as vitamins C, D, and B12. The more of these foods we consume, the more likely we are to become overweight or obese. This puts us at higher risk of health problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Ultra-processed foods are easy to overeat.