I'm only going by the abstract but this bit stuck out to me:

> Regulation of the multiple addictive products that tobacco companies have disseminated to markets globally may be needed to protect public health.

That seems less about logistics and more about manipulating the content of food, perhaps to encourage some low-level of dependence. People eventually came to expect this from tobacco products, I think many would be surprised to see this kind of thing from Oreos or potato chips.

Yes it seems like the authors of this article are implying this is bad? I mean ultra-processed is a meaningless term but generally processed food lasts longer, is less perishable, often cheaper, etc.