Government u-turn on promoting ‘nutritious food’ is hard to digest in the face of spiralling obesity rates and costly anti-obesity medications
BANT is dismayed to read the government withdrew recommendations to food manufacturers and retailers to promote ‘minimally processed’ and ‘nutritious foods’ in the face of lobbying from global food companies.
BANT has repeatedly called for measures to act against the drivers of obesity and restrict ultra-processed foods and drinks (UPFDs), in a collective effort to create a food environment for good health. BANT’s agenda to ‘reclaim the UK’s health’, as laid out in our 2024 manifesto, outlined the need for:
- mandatory reporting by food companies, with clear targets and penalties for volume of UPFDs/HFSS foods sold; fruits and vegetables/fibre foods sold; types of protein sold; amount of food wasted.
- mandatory minimum promotional thresholds on fresh whole foods to ensure fruit, vegetables and protein foods are equitably promoted.
News of this latest government u-turn is hard to digest in the face of spiralling obesity rates and dangerous trends for GLP-1 anti-obesity medications (AOMs).
BANT’s position on AOMs is highlighted in a joint statement with The British Society of Lifestyle Medicine (BSLM) and the College of Medicine and Integrated Health (CoM) advocating for safe and cautious use of these medications.
Ultra-processed foods and drinks (UPFDs) account for more than 50% of daily calories in the UK. As a nation, we are moving further away from real food. A total of 64% of the population is currently obese (28%) or overweight (36%). A 2024 British Medical Journal (BMJ) review found that ultra-processed foods linked to 32 harmful effects to health.
It is shocking that The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) was able to leverage its power to this extent and influence government policy and wording. If the government is committed to building a healthier Britain we need to prioritise providing access to health-promoting foods to all communities, particularly low-income families, and food companies and retailers need to be held accountable.
BANT also argues the case for improving current dietary guidelines and resources – given the severely outdated and under-funded Eatwell Guide.
“We need decisive action on all drivers of the UK obesogenic environment, starting with the de-escalation of UPFDs” states BANT Director, Isabel Hemmings.
BANT urges Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, to deliver clear policy on restricting UPFDs and not to curtail to FDF pressure to put profit before the nation’s health.
