Coca-Cola and 10 other major food companies are accused in a lawsuit from a Pennsylvania teenager of “engineering” ultra-processed products to be addictive, marketing the items towards children and allegedly causing chronic disease in kids.

Bryce Martinez alleges in the “first-of-its kind” lawsuit the actions of the firms that also include Kraft Heinz, Mars and PepsiCo “caused him to develop Type 2 Diabetes and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by age 16,” per a statement from Morgan & Morgan, the major national personal injury attorneys representing the teen in the case.

“Companies adhere to the rigorous evidence-based safety standards established by the FDA to deliver safe, affordable and convenient products that consumers depend on every day,” said the Consumer Brands Association’s Sarah Gallo, via email on Tuesday night.

…

• “We fully support providing consumers the dignity of choice when making decisions about healthy dietary patterns and the makers of America’s household brands are continuously innovating to meet the health and lifestyle needs of their customers.”

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