UK health committee calls for food industry restrictions to combat obesity
9 reported
A cross-party committee of UK MPs has recommended that the food and drink industry be excluded from shaping obesity-prevention policy, arguing that commercial interests have repeatedly delayed or diluted public health measures. In a report to parliament, the health select committee stated that preventing obesity in future generations must take precedence over industry interests. The proportion of adults in England living with obesity has nearly doubled over the past three decades to 30%, according to the article. The committee also proposed a ban on all outdoor advertising of foods high in fat, salt and sugar by July 2027, and called for supermarkets to face binding targets on healthy product sales. The report noted that obesity costs the UK at least £74bn per year, including £11bn to the NHS alone. The committee chair, Layla Moran, said tough regulation and affordable healthier choices are needed.
What’s reported
The proportion of adults in England living with obesity nearly doubled over the past three decades to 30%.
The health select committee’s report argues that preventing obesity demands radical action to regulate food markets.
The most ambitious proposal is to exclude food businesses selling a high share of unhealthy products, and their trade bodies, from shaping “food, diet and obesity-prevention” policy.
Obesity costs the UK at least £74bn per year, including £11bn to the NHS alone.
MPs propose a ban on all outdoor advertising of foods high in fat, salt and sugar by July 2027.
Sweets, chocolate and crisps attracted £196m in advertising over a year, while fruit and vegetables got just £19m.
The report notes that KFC has challenged dozens of English councils over takeaway restrictions, overturning local decisions more than half the time.
Rates of obesity are more than twice as high in the poorest areas than the richest, and the gap is widening.
France has kept obesity levels steady since 1990, while UK obesity has continued to rise.
Key figures
Layla Moran, chair of the health select committee
Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical adviser
Sir Keir Starmer, former prime minister (mentioned as having rejected a similar proposal)
Andy Burnham, expected to become prime minister (mentioned in context of the proposal being made again)
Sources: The Guardian
