Catherine Conlon: Drop in US junk food sales the break we need to cut unhealthy diets

Sales of junk food are slowing in the US. Introduction of a junk food tax could accelerate a shift in the food market so that everyone can afford healthy food, writes Catherine Conlon

While not yet in quite the same league as the US, in Ireland almost half (45.9%) of household purchases come from ultra-processed food resulting in one of the unhealthiest food systems in Europe. File picture

Our food system is killing us. Designed to produce cheap calories after the second world war, it is now the cause of one in four adult deaths globally – more than 12 million a year that are due to poor diets. 

As always, it is the poorest and most marginalised who are most likely to be sicker and die sooner.