Government announces commitment to a new ‘healthy food standard’ aimed at reducing obesity.
As part of the upcoming 10 Year Health Plan, the government has announced a partnership with the food retailers and manufacturing industry that sets new food standards aimed at making the average shopping basket sales healthier.
The new measures, based on Nesta’s policy recommendations, will mandate a target for sales of healthy food, against which all large food businesses will report on. Businesses will be given the freedom to meet this standard by whatever method works best for them. This could be via the reformulation of certain products, discounts and deals on healthier foods, intentional store placement and stocking, and amended advertising and loyalty schemes that better promote healthy options.
The government will work with the Food Strategy Advisory Board to organise the introduction of this policy and ensure regulatory alignment for food businesses that creates a level playing field and enables healthier sales without losing competitive edge. The government announced that doing so will “make the healthier choice the easiest” and potentially reduce rising rates of obesity and obesity-related health conditions.
Further details of the plan are expected to be released shortly.
Sonia Pombo, Head of Research and Impact at Action on Salt based at Queen Mary University, quoted:
“We welcome the government’s recognition that supermarkets have a powerful role to play in shaping healthier food environments. This is a crucial step in tackling rising obesity rates and the growing burden of preventable diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disease. But voluntary efforts have repeatedly fallen short - what we need now is bold, enforceable policy.
The government must introduce mandatory, evidence-based targets for salt and sugar reduction, backed by meaningful financial penalties for non-compliance. This will help shift the responsibility away from individuals and toward a food system that truly supports healthier choices. Strong leadership, not just good intentions, will determine whether we can protect future generations from diet-related ill health.”
The full Healthy Foods Standard announcement can be read online.
The updated government statement can be viewed on their website.
