Food and Weight Management

Health and Social Care Committee Open Inquiry
Opened: 17 Jul 2025 Parliament page
The Committee is holding an inquiry into food and weight management, including treatments for obesity. In 2022, 64% of adults in England were either overweight or living with obesity. In its 10-year health plan, the Government pledged to “launch a moonshot to end the obesity epidemic”. The Committee’s inquiry will … Read more
10 Recommendations
26 Conclusions
1 Report
8 Oral sessions
15 Letters
8 Events
Activity timeline 24 events
15 Jul
2026
Report published
3 Jun
2026
Oral evidence
19 May
2026
Oral evidence
28 Apr
2026
Correspondence
25 Mar
2026
Oral evidence
25 Mar
2026
Correspondence
11 Mar
2026
Correspondence
11 Mar
2026
Correspondence
11 Mar
2026
Correspondence
25 Feb
2026
Oral evidence
25 Feb
2026
Correspondence
4 Feb
2026
Correspondence
Oral evidence sessions 8 sessions
3 Jun 2026
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Oral Evidence
Dr Clare Hambling · NHS England Natasha Burgon · Department of Health and Social Care Prof Aidan Fowler · NHS England Sharon Hodgeson MP · Department for Health and Social Care
19 May 2026
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Oral Evidence
Colette Marshall · Diabetes UK Dimitri Pournaras · British Obesity and Metabolic Specialist Society (BOMSS) Dr Neil O'Brien · North East and North Cumbria ICB Professor Roy Taylor · DiRECT Study
25 Mar 2026
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Oral Evidence
Andy Morling · Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Claire Nevinson · Boots UK Dr Kieran Seyan · Pharmacy2U Dr Simon Doyle · Coalition of Responsible Digital Health John Spoors · National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Neha Ramaiya · General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
25 Feb 2026
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Oral Evidence
Dr Claudia Coelho · The Association for the Study of Obesity Dr Emily Pegg · Lilly UK Dr Kath McCullough · Royal College of Physicians Dr Munro Stewart · Royal College of General Practitioners Professor Susan Jebb · Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences at the University of Oxford
28 Jan 2026
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Oral Evidence
Beth Fowler · Asda Liz Fox · aldi Nilani Sritharan · Sainsbury’s Oonagh Turnbull · Tesco
3 Dec 2025
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Oral Evidence
Jim Cathcart · UKHospitality Kate Halliwell · Food and Drink Federation
5 Nov 2025
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Oral Evidence
Dr Kawther Hashem · Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University London Katharine Jenner · Obesity Health Alliance Lauren Bowes Byatt · Nesta Michael Baber · Health Action Research Group Nika Pajda · Bite Back Professor Christina Vogel · Centre for Food Policy, City St George's, University of London Professor Chris van Tulleken · University College London
15 Oct 2025
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Oral Evidence
Alice · Bite Back Alice Wiseman · Association of Directors of Public Health Anna Taylor · Food Foundation Corin Bell · Alexandra Rose Charity Evette · Food Foundation Helen Gollins · Greater Manchester Public Health Network Jayda · Bite Back
Title HC No. Published Items Response
3rd Report – Food and Weight Management: Fixing the food environ… HC 223 15 Jul 2026 36 Pending
Recommendations & Conclusions
36 results
1 Conclusion
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
We were unconvinced by the evidence we received from the supermarkets regarding their concerns about...
We were unconvinced by the evidence we received from the supermarkets regarding their concerns about the updated nutrient profiling model. The NPM underpins all the government’s regulatory action to prevent obesity, yet the version of the model being used is … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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2 Conclusion
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
The 2018 nutrient profiling model should be implemented as soon as possible, and certainly no...
The 2018 nutrient profiling model should be implemented as soon as possible, and certainly no later than by the end of 2027. The government will hear a lot of representations against this, but should hold firm. While we are aware … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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3 Recommendation
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
The government should also commit to regularly reviewing and updating the nutrient profile model so...
The government should also commit to regularly reviewing and updating the nutrient profile model so that we do not go another 22 years, or more, between updates. Reviewing and implementing an updated nutrient profiling model on a 10-year cycle would … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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4 Conclusion
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
Healthy sales reporting and targets are the government’s flagship policy for addressing the food environment...
Healthy sales reporting and targets are the government’s flagship policy for addressing the food environment in the 10 Year Health Plan, with much resting on their implementation and success. It has been over a year since the 10 Year Health … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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5 Conclusion
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
Mandatory healthy sales reporting should be launched as soon as possible, with targets set for...
Mandatory healthy sales reporting should be launched as soon as possible, with targets set for supermarkets within the next 12 months and for the wider food industry by the end of the Parliament. (Recommendation, Paragraph 24)
Department of Health and Social Care
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6 Conclusion
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
If the government is really committed to this policy and in future decides to set...
If the government is really committed to this policy and in future decides to set targets as a result, those targets are meaningless unless accompanied by a strict enforcement regime for ensuring companies meet targets. This could be overseen by … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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7 Conclusion
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
Price is a key driver in consumer behaviour.
Price is a key driver in consumer behaviour. It is welcome that action has been taken to reduce the number of volume-price promotions of HFSS foods. However, with healthier foods such as fruits and vegetables still generally being more expensive … Read more
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8 Recommendation
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
As part of plans for large businesses to report on healthy sales and progress towards...
As part of plans for large businesses to report on healthy sales and progress towards healthy sales targets, the government should require those businesses to report on the price promotions it offers, specifically the percentage of such promotions on healthier … Read more
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9 Conclusion
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
Healthy Start is a lifeline to many families who might otherwise struggle to find the...
Healthy Start is a lifeline to many families who might otherwise struggle to find the budget for healthier foods for their children. It is especially impactful during a time of increasing food prices, with healthier foods often being more expensive … Read more
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10 Conclusion
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
The Healthy Start programme should be updated in the following ways: a.
The Healthy Start programme should be updated in the following ways: a. the value of vouchers should be updated to reflect the level of food inflation and there should be an annual review of value to ensure its real terms … Read more
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11 Recommendation
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
The government should also launch a public awareness campaign within the next three months to...
The government should also launch a public awareness campaign within the next three months to drive improved uptake of the Healthy Start scheme, modelled on the approach taken in Scotland. The government must also commit to publish annual data on … Read more
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12 Conclusion
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
Local projects to support access to healthier foods are doing fantastic work in their communities...
Local projects to support access to healthier foods are doing fantastic work in their communities and seeing real results, using local knowledge and building strong community relationships to drive change. Community projects need to be a core part of any … Read more
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13 Recommendation
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
We therefore repeat the recommendation previously made by Sir Henry Dimbleby that the government should...
We therefore repeat the recommendation previously made by Sir Henry Dimbleby that the government should establish a “Community Eatwell” programme to provide healthy eating support to families and individuals on low incomes experiencing food-related ill health. The government should also … Read more
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14 Conclusion
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
Clear and consistent labelling supports customers to make more informed choices about the food they...
Clear and consistent labelling supports customers to make more informed choices about the food they are buying. Existing traffic light labelling is not mandatory, and it is inconsistently applied: this needs to change. (Conclusion, Paragraph 67)
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15 Recommendation
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
The government should introduce mandatory front-of-pack labelling by January 2028.
The government should introduce mandatory front-of-pack labelling by January 2028. While we acknowledge that the traffic light approach is not perfect, we nevertheless recommend using the pre-existing label as its template as this is familiar to consumers and widely used … Read more
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16 Recommendation
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
In addition, the government should take steps to explore how to ensure the effectiveness of...
In addition, the government should take steps to explore how to ensure the effectiveness of front-of-pack labelling in the long term, including: a. how to make front-of pack information clear for consumers and ensure it avoids contradictory health and nutrition … Read more
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17 Conclusion
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
We acknowledge the efforts that manufacturers have gone to in reformulating products to remove sugar,...
We acknowledge the efforts that manufacturers have gone to in reformulating products to remove sugar, salt and fat and increase fibre, and the challenges that can come from this for smaller businesses. Taxation has been shown to drive producer behaviour … Read more
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18 Recommendation
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
To drive further reformulation, we recommend that the government: a.
To drive further reformulation, we recommend that the government: a. continues to explore how the SDIL can be expanded and sets out a timetable for reducing the threshold to its originally intended 4g per 100ml; b. develops an equivalent of … Read more
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19 Conclusion
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
While some local authorities have already been using the planning system to improve their local...
While some local authorities have already been using the planning system to improve their local food environment, the changes to the National Planning Policy Framework should encourage more local authorities to refuse applications for hot food takeaways and fast-food outlets … Read more
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20 Recommendation
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
Working with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities and directors of public health, we...
Working with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities and directors of public health, we call on the government to: a. develop clearer definitions for the terms “hot food takeaway”, “fast- food outlet” and “reasonable walking distance” and develop guidance … Read more
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21 Conclusion
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
The evidence is clear: advertising impacts on the consumption of HFSS foods.
The evidence is clear: advertising impacts on the consumption of HFSS foods. The government has already accepted this to some degree given the action already taken to restrict exposure to HFSS advertising, but it must be bolder. Its current approach … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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22 Conclusion
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
Advertising methods are changing quickly, with the rising prominence of social media advertising, digital advertising,...
Advertising methods are changing quickly, with the rising prominence of social media advertising, digital advertising, sport sponsorship, online gaming and direct marketing through app notification. Existing regulations do not adequately address these forms of advertising. Further delay to strengthening restrictions … Read more
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23 Conclusion
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
On a local level, some local authorities are working hard to improve their own food...
On a local level, some local authorities are working hard to improve their own food environment through bans to outdoor advertising, but they are severely limited due to only being able to target council-owned assets. To ensure a consistent approach, … Read more
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24 Conclusion
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
A holistic, consistent and watertight approach to restricting the exposure of children to all HFSS...
A holistic, consistent and watertight approach to restricting the exposure of children to all HFSS advertising needs to be developed. It should include: 56 a. bringing brand and range advertising into the scope of existing regulations as soon as possible … Read more
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25 Conclusion
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
Existing regulation could be better used to play a more active role in building healthier...
Existing regulation could be better used to play a more active role in building healthier retail environments. While we are encouraged that changing shop layouts is one of the government’s suggested ways of achieving healthier sales, given there will likely … Read more
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26 Conclusion
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
It is concerning that HFSS foods continue to feature prominently on pages on retailer websites...
It is concerning that HFSS foods continue to feature prominently on pages on retailer websites that are not covered by existing regulations, particularly special offers pages. We know that price is a driver of shopping habits and so believe that … Read more
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27 Conclusion
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
The Food (Promotion and Placement) (England) Regulations 2021 should be updated no later than January...
The Food (Promotion and Placement) (England) Regulations 2021 should be updated no later than January 2027 to: a. include a requirement to place fruits and vegetables in prominent instore locations like checkouts and store entrances; and b. extend the definition … Read more
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28 Conclusion
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
Policies to support a reduction in the consumption of HFSS foods stand no chance of...
Policies to support a reduction in the consumption of HFSS foods stand no chance of success if they are not strongly enforced. Businesses need to be clear that there will be consequence for failing to meet their legal requirements to … Read more
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29 Conclusion
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
We are concerned by the lack of enforcement of policies and recommend the government review...
We are concerned by the lack of enforcement of policies and recommend the government review the extent to which its policies are being enforced and, in its response to us, set out detail on resources available for enforcement. (Recommendation, Paragraph … Read more
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30 Conclusion
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
The government needs to build and fund a more robust enforcement regime for existing and...
The government needs to build and fund a more robust enforcement regime for existing and upcoming regulation, which should include: a. improved, ring-fenced funding and an improved training offer for local authority trading standards and environmental health teams to improve … Read more
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31 Conclusion
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
The Food Standards Agency’s role should be expanded to cover the healthiness of food, as...
The Food Standards Agency’s role should be expanded to cover the healthiness of food, as well as food safety. It should report to Parliament on progress towards healthier food production and on meeting targets for healthy food sales. This expanded … Read more
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32 Conclusion
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
The current regulatory framework does not create a level playing field across all settings where...
The current regulatory framework does not create a level playing field across all settings where food is purchased, largely ignores the out-of-home sector, has a blind spot around delivery apps and is littered with loopholes that ultimately undermine the intended … Read more
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33 Recommendation
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
A more strategic and holistic view of food policy that seeks to improve the healthiness...
A more strategic and holistic view of food policy that seeks to improve the healthiness of food and the food environment is needed. The government should either extend the scope of existing regulation or create new regulation to ensure that … Read more
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34 Conclusion
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
Throughout our inquiry we have seen examples where time and time again policy that has...
Throughout our inquiry we have seen examples where time and time again policy that has been designed to protect and improve children’s health and the health of the population is delayed or diluted in the face of threats from the … Read more
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35 Recommendation
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
We agree with the House of Lords Food, Diet and Obesity Committee that the government...
We agree with the House of Lords Food, Diet and Obesity Committee that the government should exclude food businesses that derive more than a certain proportion of sales from less healthy products from any discussions on the formation of policy … Read more
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36 Conclusion
3rd Report – Food and Weight Manag…
While we acknowledge the costs of policy changes to the food industry, these are marginal...
While we acknowledge the costs of policy changes to the food industry, these are marginal when compared to the huge costs of inaction on obesity to society, the economy and the health service. In the event that policy relating to … Read more
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Correspondence 15 letters
28 Apr 2026 Correspondence from the MHRA- Follow up from 25 March session
Parliament page
25 Mar 2026 Correspondence from Sainsbury’s- Follow up from 28 Jan session
Parliament page
11 Mar 2026 Correspondence form Asda- Follow up on 28 Jan session
Parliament page
11 Mar 2026 Correspondence from Tesco- Follow up on 28 Jan session
Parliament page
11 Mar 2026 Correspondence from Aldi- Follow up on 28 Jan session
Parliament page
25 Feb 2026 Correspondence from the Food and Drink Federation- follow up from 3 December session
Parliament page
4 Feb 2026 Correspondence from the Minister of State for Health - UK Nutrient Profiling Model 2018
Parliament page
4 Feb 2026 Correspondence from Domino's - Right to Reply
Parliament page
28 Jan 2026 Correspondence from Advertising Standards Authority- Update on weight loss prescription only medicines
Parliament page
21 Jan 2026 Correspondence from UK Hospitality- Follow up from 3 Dec session
Parliament page
17 Dec 2025 Correspondence from the Advertising Standards Authority- Tackling misleading health information in advertising
Parliament page
26 Nov 2025 Correspondence from KFC re Right to reply following 15 Oct session
Parliament page
19 Nov 2025 Correspondence from Asda re Food and Weight Management Inquiry
Parliament page
12 Nov 2025 Correspondence from Global re right to reply following 8 October evidence session
Parliament page
15 Oct 2025 Correspondence from Minister Dalton re Food and drink advertising regulations
Parliament page