17
Deferred
Respond to National Food Strategy Independent Review's analysis on health and food
Recommendation
The UK is in the midst of an obesity crisis and is facing a situation of around 40% of the adult population being obese by 2035. Unchecked, this will have profound consequences for the NHS. Food that is high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) is often considerably cheaper per calorie than healthy food. This helps to explain the paradox that those on low-incomes are more likely to be obese. Indeed, the poorest 20% of households need to spend half their disposable income to eat the Government- recommended healthy diet. The National Food Strategy identified health and food as a vital issue and provided expert analysis, yet the Government Food Strategy did not cover the topic at all or set out any actions to break the junk food cycle. Instead, it passed the buck to the Department for Health and Social Care to include in a White Paper that was first delayed, and then cancelled in favour of the as yet unpublished Major Conditions Strategy. The Government should respond to the NFSIR’s analysis on health and food within six months.
Government Response Summary
The government explains it has considered the NFSIR's review and is undertaking an ambitious programme of work on healthy weight, including existing regulations and industry engagement, with further detail on diet and obesity to be set out in the Major Conditions Strategy, intended for publication in early 2024, implicitly deferring a direct response.
Paragraph Reference
75
Government Response
Deferred
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The Government fully considered Henry Dimbleby’s independent review when developing the Food Strategy, taking on board several of its recommendations. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is delivering an ambitious programme of work to create a healthier environment to help children and adults achieve and maintain a healthy weight. New regulations on out of home calorie labelling for food sold in large businesses including restaurants, cafes and takeaways came into force in April 20221. Regulations restricting the location of less healthy products in key selling locations in store and online came into force in October 20222. We are also working with the food industry to make further progress on voluntary reformulation and ensure it is easier for the public to make healthier choices. Following the launch of the Food Data Transparency Partnership as part of the Government Food Strategy, we continue to engage regularly with industry, investors and civil society, working closely with experts from across the food system to develop recommendations for a mutually agreed set of health metrics for large food and drink companies that support companies to voluntarily report in a consistent way. On 14 August we published our Major Conditions Strategy: case for change and our strategic framework3. This strategy is intended to tackle the key drivers of ill-health in England, reduce pressure on the NHS and reduce ill-health related labour market inactivity. This includes tackling the principal lifestyle drivers of ill health, such as diet and obesity, and the strategic framework includes a commitment to continue to work with industry on reformulation to reduce sugar, salt and calories in key everyday food and drink. Our intention is to publish the Major Conditions Strategy in early 2024. We know that healthy weight has a significant impact on people’s physical health, and obesity is a major driver of ill health. However, creating healthy lives is not just a matter for Government. It also means empowering and enabling people to manage their own health and engage in healthy behaviours across their lives. We will set out more detail as to how we are empowering people in the Major Conditions Strategy.
Timeline
Recommendation age
2.8 yrs
Report published
28 Jul 2023