Home / Sources / Independent Reviews / Dimbleby National Food Strategy
← All independent reviews
Independent review

Dimbleby National Food Strategy

National Food Strategy: Independent Review
Completed
Henry Dimbleby · Published 15 July 2021 · Commissioned by Defra Health & Social Care

Index summary

Independent review of the food system commissioned by DEFRA. Published in two parts (2020 and 2021), making 14 recommendations covering sugar tax, free school meals, land use, trade and food innovation.

Wikipedia

Original evidence

Report pageReport PDFGovernment response

Government Response

Government published a Food Strategy white paper in June 2022 but rejected the proposed sugar and salt tax and most structural recommendations.

13 June 2022

Recommendations

Recommendation 1
Government

Link to recommendation

Recommendation · source text

Introduce a sugar and salt reformulation tax. Use some of the revenue to help get fresh fruit and vegetables to low income families.
Recommendation 2
Government

Link to recommendation

Recommendation · source text

Introduce mandatory reporting for large food companies.
Recommendation 3
Government

Link to recommendation

Recommendation · source text

Launch a new "Eat and Learn" initiative for schools.
Recommendation 4
Government

Link to recommendation

Recommendation · source text

Extend eligibility for free school meals.
Recommendation 5
Government

Link to recommendation

Recommendation · source text

Fund the Holiday Activities and Food programme for the next three years.
Recommendation 6
Government

Link to recommendation

Recommendation · source text

Expand the Healthy Start scheme.
Recommendation 7
Government

Link to recommendation

Recommendation · source text

Trial a "Community Eatwell" programme, supporting those on low incomes to improve their diets.
Recommendation 8
Defra

Link to recommendation

Recommendation · source text

Guarantee the budget for agricultural payments until at least 2029 to help farmers transition to more sustainable land use.
Recommendation 9
Defra

Link to recommendation

Recommendation · source text

Create a Rural Land Use Framework based on the Three Compartment Model.
Recommendation 10
Government

Link to recommendation

Recommendation · source text

Define minimum standards for trade, and a mechanism for protecting them.
Recommendation 11
Government

Link to recommendation

Recommendation · source text

Invest £1 billion in innovation to create a better food system.
Recommendation 12
Government

Link to recommendation

Recommendation · source text

Create a National Food System Data programme.
Recommendation 13
Government

Link to recommendation

Recommendation · source text

Strengthen government procurement rules to ensure that taxpayer money is spent on healthy and sustainable food.
Recommendation 14
Government

Link to recommendation

Recommendation · source text

Set clear targets and bring in legislation for long-term change.
No recommendations with this response.