Calls for the government to bring in mandatory reporting on health in its new Food Strategy have received a major breakthrough, with the FDF today backing the proposals.
FDF CEO Karen Betts, writing exclusively in The Grocer, said it was time for “bold and co-ordinated action” to tackle the obesity crisis. Mandatory reporting across all sectors, including out of home, was the way forward, she added.
Betts said food manufacturing leaders stood “shoulder to shoulder” with Tesco CEO Ken Murphy who, along with Tesco’s charity partners, wrote to health secretary Wes Streeting last month calling for the move.
Last week, The Grocer revealed the vast majority of the UK’s leading supermarkets were in support of mandatory reporting.
However, the FDF’s support marks a significant turning point. In July 2021, its former leader Ian Wright said such measures would “never see the light of day” after they were proposed by Henry Dimbleby in his National Food Strategy.
Wright had expressed fears such reporting would force manufacturers to reveal large amounts of confidential data that could be exploited by competitors.
However, Betts said it was time for the government working in partnership with industry to “rethink how we can create a healthier nation”. She suggested that the Food Strategy should also consider other plans, including a major shake-up of nutritional labelling and launching a national campaign to encourage healthy eating.
“Consumers should have access to the same information and support to make healthier choices, no matter where they’re eating,” added Betts.
Her call comes with the FDF releasing a report today featuring new data from Kantar Worldpanel showing its members products contain around a third less salt (31%) and sugar (30%) and a quarter (24%) fewer calories compared with a decade ago.
It also revealed FDF members invested around £180m on reformulation and healthier products in 2024 alone.
However, last week new government figures showed diets in the UK were getting significantly less healthy, with shoppers hit by the cost of living crisis and food inflation much less likely to hit their 5 a day target.
The Department of Health & Social Care’s National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS), published today, showed less than a fifth (17%) and less than one in 10 of children aged 11 to 18 were hitting the target. Meanwhile, the figures also revealed fibre intakes were at around 50% of the recommendation while free sugar intakes were at double the recommended limit.
Meanwhile, figures released by the OHID showed a jump in the amount of calories being consumed from the out-of-home sector.
Betts said mandatory reporting would lead to a level playing field between the sectors.
“Manufacturers are stepping up – offering smaller portions, fortifying products with nutrients, and launching healthier ranges,” she said.
”However, this significant work and investment from food manufacturers needs to be matched by action across the board.
“We need parity between manufacturing, retail and hospitality – so that no part of the food system is left behind.”
The FDF report, Shaping Healthier Futures, also calls for the government to open the way for more R&D funding and scientific investment to make food more heathy.
It wants ministers to agree to replicate the Scottish government’s successful ‘Reformulation for Health’ programme and says a fund of as little as £4m would transform SMEs’ ability to engage in healthier product innovation.
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