Newly published research paper calls for a more nuanced view of food reformulation policies
A new paper, ‘Towards a more nuanced understanding of policies that lead to food reformulation for a food system change’, published by our Head of Research and Impact and Senior Lecturer in Public Health Nutrition, Dr Kawther Hashem, reviews the latest evidence on food reformulation to improve the understanding of how different policy designs can drive food system change.
The paper reviews global evidence on policies targeting three key nutrients of concern – trans fatty acids, salt and sugar – and shows that food reformulation can be driven both directly and indirectly by policy. While some measures are explicitly designed to encourage reformulation, others have prompted significant changes in product composition as an unintended but positive side effect.
It concludes that no single policy is sufficient to drive widespread reformulation on its own. Instead, a combination of complementary approaches is most likely to encourage sustained changes by food companies and support broader food system transformation - with the findings suggesting policymakers look must now recognise how different interventions interact to shape healthier food environments.
Read the newly published paper on the Cambridge University Press website.
