Skip to main content
menu

Action on Sugar

UK government reviewing obesity strategy

Published:

We, along with many other health organisations are deeply concerned to hear that the UK Government is reviewing all health and nutrition policies ‘in light of the cost-of-living crisis’.  

Policies at risk include: 

  • Calorie Labelling on menus (already in law) 
  • Soft Drinks Industry Levy (implemented in 2018) 
  • Location restrictions on foods high in fat, salt and sugar (to be implemented October 2022) 
  • Restrictions on multibuy deals (delayed until October 2023) 
  • Restrictions on advertising on TV and online (delayed until January 2024)  

These policies, which are well-supported, evidence-based, and have already been implemented or are upcoming, have been designed to improve and protect the nation’s health and help reduce health inequalities. Almost two-thirds of the adult population in Britain are overweight or obese, and associated health conditions are said to cost the NHS £100 billion (combined) a year. What we need now more than ever is access to healthy, affordable food, and this can only be achieved with policies designed to rebalance our food system. 

Professor Graham MacGregor: Chairman of Action on Sugar and Salt said  

Scrapping the Government's evidence-based obesity strategy would be disastrous to both public health and also to the many food businesses which have spent years and vast amounts of money preparing for this change in policy.  

"Now, more than ever, the UK population need equitable access to healthy, affordable food and this can only be achieved with policies designed to rebalance our food system. The Government must now commit to key measures such as mandatory targets for calories, sugar and salt reduction, well enforced marketing and promotions restrictions (including shortening the delay to ban junk food multi-buys) and clearer and mandatory food labelling. Our new Prime Minister must also honour Number 10's levelling up promise and protect the nation’s health from the devastating effects of unhealthy diets high in saturated fat, salt and sugar (and lacks fruit and vegetables) which is the biggest cause of death and disability globally and costs the UK more than £100 billion (combined) annually." 

Mhairi Brown, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Action on Sugar and Action on Salt says: 

"Without doubt, the soft drinks industry levy demonstrated best practice for both business and for the nation's health (especially those from the most deprived areas). In fact, as a result of the levy, 48 million kilos of sugar was removed per year (2015-2019) from the nation’s diet and a whopping £1 billion has been raised to fund important activities like school breakfasts for vulnerable children. Measures like this must now be championed and protected by the government to help prevent the unnecessary deaths and suffering of thousands of people, caused by unhealthy diets, whilst saving the NHS billons of pounds a year." 

 

 

Return to top