Action on Salt and Sugar join the call for a ‘Good Food Bill’ to fix the UK’s failing food system
More than 100 retailers, charities and academics warn the UK food system poses risks to health and national security and urge backing for a ‘Good Food Bill’.
Over 100 major UK retailers, food businesses, health organisations, food and farming NGOs and academics have joined in support of a proposed ‘Good Food Bill’, calling on ministers to take decisive action to reform the UK’s failing food system.
The campaign, which includes Action on Salt & Sugar and is being driven by The Food Foundation, Sustain and Green Alliance, argues that weaknesses in the UK’s food system now pose a serious threat to both public health and national security.
The announcement comes as new polling highlights strong backing for change:
- 69% of people believe the Government should do more to ensure healthy food is affordable and accessible for everyone.
- 65% of people support the introduction of a ‘Food Bill’ that would create new legal duties and targets on government and government bodies to make nutritious food more readily available and affordable.
- 53% believe the recent state of international events have made safeguarding the UK’s food supply even more important.
The pressures of the cost-of-living crisis, coupled with the highest food price inflation in four decades, have exposed vulnerabilities in the current system. Policymakers must act now to shield the country from future global disruptions, geopolitical instability, ongoing extreme weather patterns and inflation.
The proposed ‘Good Food Bill’ would introduce a comprehensive legal framework designed to reshape the UK’s food landscape. It would establish policies, targets and ambitions to improve public health, reduce inequalities, protect the environment and improve UK resilience, while safeguarding progress from short-term political cycles.
With food insecurity remaining high and overweight and obesity rates continuing to rise across the country, food system reform is urgently needed. Such meaningful legislative change will be essential if the government is to deliver on its pledge to create “the healthiest generation of children ever”, and build a healthier, fairer and more resilient food system for the UK.
Learn more from the Good Food Bill Joint Statement 2026.
