A/71/282 project estimates that approximately 34,000 cancer deaths per year worldwide are attributable to diets high in processed meat. 26 27. Worldwide data suggest that average sodium and sugar consumption is well above minimal physiological needs. Processed food consumers unkn owingly consume three to five times more sodium than required, which is particularly troubling when such foods target children. For example, a global study conducted in 2015 reviewed 387 popular children’s meals and found sodium levels to be dangerously high. 27 Similarly, over the past 50 years, global sugar consumption has more than tripled, particularly in the form of sweetened beverages. 28 28. There are also concerns that pesticides and additives in food may contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals. While this requires further research, it is suspected that such chemicals are associated with abnormal growth patterns and neurodevelopmental delays in children and may also increase susceptibilit y to non-communicable diseases. 29 D. Trade liberalization and foreign direct investment 29. Trade liberalization and foreign direct investment (FDI) by transnational corporations in the processed food industry have played a large role in increasing the availability of ultraprocessed foods on the global market. 30 The removal of policies to protect domestic markets has strongly affected the increase in production of certain unhealthy foods, as well as their availability and cost. Countries that embrace market deregulation experience a faster increase in unhealthy food consumption. 31 30. Trade liberalization has also allowed transnational corporations to gain influence on the global food supply chain and, in turn, on food systems. They have obtained control over agricultural production, processing, retailing, advertising and food imports and exports. By investing in technology used in the processed food industry, for example agrochemicals and hybrid seeds, extraction technology used in food processing, and additives to increase the shelf life of food products, large -scale food production achieves substantially lower costs while increasing profit margins. 31. FDI is playing a significant role in the “nutrition transition”. The food processing industry is now the largest recipient of FDI, particularly in support of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods. FDI allows companies to become transnational by purchasing or investing in “foreign affiliates” located in other countries, which then produce food for the domestic markets. This allows the foreign -based company to bypass import tariffs and lowers transportation and production costs. By flooding __________________ 26 27 28 29 30 31 16-13441 WHO, “Q&A on the carcinogenicity of the consumption of red meat and processed meat”, October 2015. Available from www.who.int/features/qa/cancer -red-meat/en/. World Action on Salt and Health, “New international study reveals dangerously high levels of salt in children’s meals and calls for global action now”, 18 August 2015. Available from www.worldactiononsalt.com/less/surveys/2015/Children’s%20Meals%20Survey/160652.html. Dylan Neel, “The sugar dilemma”, Harvard College Global Health Review (October 2012). WHO, “Children’s environmental health: endocrine disrupting chemicals” (2016). Available from www.who.int/ceh/risks/cehemerging2/en. Eddy Lee, “Trade liberalization and employment”, DESA Working Paper No. 5 (New York, October 2005). A/HRC/26/31, para. 7. 9/24