The Cost of Processed, Unhealthy Foods: $20 Trillion. The consumption of processed, unhealthy foods poses a threat not only to human health but also to our planet. According to data released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) on the global food system, unhealthy eating habits contribute significantly to various health issues, including cancer and diabetes, which account for three-quarters of global deaths. This has a staggering economic cost, estimated at nearly $20 trillion.