Consumption of ultra-processed foods costs SUS R$10 billion

Poor nutrition with ultra-processed foods costs R$933.5 million per year in direct health costs to the (Unified Health System), a total of R$10.4 billion if indirect costs and premature deaths are considered. In relation to the consumption of alcoholic beverages, the cost is R$18.8 billion.

The data comes from research carried out by in partnership with NGOs and . The estimates do not include data on care in the supplementary health network – health plans and private clinics outside the SUS –, nor care that does not have these agents as the main related cause.

Studies show that diseases related to the consumption of ultra-processed foods and alcohol cause, respectively, an impact of 57,000 and 105,000 deaths per year.

NGOs are in favor of taxing ultra-processed products and alcoholic beverages. Studies indicate the need to combine strategies to reduce the impact of increasing the cost of products. They also relate to awareness campaigns such as those to combat smoking.

“These selective taxes have, in addition to the potential to finance the treatment of what the products cause, the effect of reducing the consumption of harmful substances and encouraging healthier choices”declared Marília Albiero, coordinator of Innovation and Strategy at ACT Promoção da Saúde.

Even though the increase in taxation will not prevent excessive consumption in its entirety, there is great potential to reduce these deaths, according to the study. It estimates a decrease of around 25%, that is, almost 40,000 lives per year.

“It is worth remembering that these estimates are conservative, as they are limited to the impact on the adult employed population, over 20 years of age, and do not include other costs of prevention, primary care, supplementary health or private expenses in the treatment of diseases caused by the consumption of ultra-processed foods. ”said Eduardo Nilson, researcher at Fiocruz, responsible for the studies.

With information from .