The Short Version
There is strong peer-reviewed evidence that ultra-processed and fast foods are deliberately formulated with combinations of sugar, salt, fat, and flavor enhancers to maximize palatability and drive repeat consumption — with some industry documents revealing tobacco-like product design strategies. However, the claim's framing that chains add "chemicals intended to be addictive" significantly overstates the evidence. The "chemicals" involved are primarily ordinary ingredients optimized for reward, not exotic addictive agents. There is also no formal scientific or regulatory consensus classifying foods as addictive substances.