Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Deferred
Paragraph: 87
Implement population-level policies to tackle obesity and immediately restrict unhealthy food multibuy deals.
Recommendation
We urge the Government to implement population-level policies that ensure healthier choices and lifestyles are made a priority in tackling obesity rates, rather than schemes that focus solely on weight loss and can engender weight stigma and result in adverse health outcomes. We were disappointed by the Government’s delay in restricting multibuy deals for foods and drinks high in fat, salt, or sugar–including buy one get one free. We urge the Government to reconsider this decision and to implement this measure immediately.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government deflects the recommendation by detailing the National Institute for Health Research's (NIHR) existing portfolio of research on weight management and policy evaluations, and states that NIHR welcomes funding applications for various health topics but does not ring-fence funds.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
87
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
Obesity is a complex public health challenge to which there is no single solution, and as such our policies include population-wide interventions as well as more specific targeted interventions for those most in need. We have been careful to consider the views of mental health charities and experts as we developed our plans for implementing measures to improve diets and reduce obesity, and we will continue to listen going forward. This includes feedback from a wide range of experts in response to our public consultations on specific policy proposals. We are working with the food industry to ensure it is easier for people to make healthier choices and increase progress on the reformulation of foods. Measures include new regulations on calorie labelling for out of home food sold in large businesses including restaurants, cafes and takeaways, which came into force on 6 April 2022, and restrictions on the promotion by location of products high in fat, salt or sugar , which came into force on 1 October 2022. The locations restrictions, which mean that products high in fat, salt or sugar will no longer be promoted in key locations such as checkouts and aisle ends, are the single most impactful obesity policy at reducing children’s sugar and calorie consumption. These restrictions are expected to accrue health benefits of over £57 billion and provide NHS savings of over £4 billion over the next 25 years. Through our reduction and reformulation programmes, we are encouraging the food industry to make everyday food and drink lower in sugar, salt and calories. We have seen some important successes, including the average sugar content of: breakfast cereals and yoghurts decreasing by 14.9% and 13.5% respectively drinks subject to the Soft Drinks Industry Levy decreasing by 46% between 2015 and 2020
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