The UK’s food system is under scrutiny after reports have shown it is continually influencing consumers to make unhealthy choices. The Food Foundation charity highlighted this issue in its annual report, pointing out that various factors such as the products promoted to consumers, restaurant menus, and supermarket promotions are all contributing to shaping diets in a negative way. The report revealed that just five companies, including Haribo, Mars, Mondelez, PepsiCo, and Kellogg’s, are responsible for over 80% of TV advertisements for snacks and confectionery broadcast before 9 pm. Following these findings, the Government announced a ban on junk food adverts before 9 pm starting from October 1 next year. However, existing restrictions already prevent such ads from airing on children’s channels or during children’s programmes.
According to the Food Foundation, nearly one-third of major UK restaurant chains offer main meals where more than half of the options contain worrisomely high levels of salt. Furthermore, almost one in five supermarket multi-buy offers are on meat and dairy products, with half of these deals focusing on processed meat. The charity expressed concerns over the lack of accountability within the food industry, as many big companies are not setting targets or disclosing information about their health credentials. Their report also included data from the Plating Up Progress research, which evaluates 36 major UK food businesses’ transparency regarding targets for selling healthier and more sustainable food.
The Food Foundation highlighted a significant disparity in the number of meetings held between food industry representatives and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) ministers compared to those had with food non-governmental organisations over the past few years. These findings have raised alarms, with calls for the Government to mandate reporting by large food businesses on the healthiness and sustainability of their sales. The charity stressed the need for regulation to elevate standards and create a fair environment for businesses that are committed to offering healthier options. They believe that without proper safeguards in place, businesses will continue to promote unhealthy food, contributing to the ongoing public health issue of obesity.
Baroness Walmsley, chairwoman of the Lords Food, Diet and Obesity Committee, remarked on the challenges faced by individuals trying to make healthy choices in a food environment dominated by advertisements for unhealthy products. She called for the Government to devise a long-term strategy and legislative framework to address these issues effectively. Meanwhile, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) emphasised the industry’s commitment to tackling obesity and poor diets, mentioning the progress made to provide healthier options based on Government guidelines and regulations. They highlighted the substantial investments made to offer products with fewer calories, salt, and sugar, and stressed their adherence to advertising regulations, including restrictions on promoting unhealthy food around children’s media. Mars, a leading food company, also echoed similar sentiments, underlining their commitment to offering a range of healthier and delicious options across their brands.
In response to these findings and calls for regulatory action, the Food Foundation continues to advocate for stricter measures to ensure large food businesses act responsibly and support public health and environmental sustainability. It is evident that the UK’s food system plays a significant role in shaping consumers’ dietary choices and that urgent reforms are needed to address the prevailing issues. By implementing mandatory reporting requirements and fostering transparency within the industry, the Government can pave the way for a healthier and more sustainable food environment for all consumers.