Key points from article :
A recent investigation by The Guardian reveals that the UK government dropped a planned health initiative encouraging retailers to promote minimally processed, nutritious foods after heavy lobbying by major ultra-processed food companies. The original government guidance aimed to make healthier foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains more affordable through deals and discounts, helping improve public diets ahead of new regulations banning junk food promotions.
However, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF)—representing giants like Nestlé, Coca-Cola, and Mars—pressed the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to remove the explicit push for minimally processed foods from official guidance. Emails obtained through freedom of information requests show persistent efforts by the FDF from late 2022 to early 2023 to rewrite the guidance. The final version now vaguely encourages “healthier options,” which experts warn still includes many ultra-processed products that can be high in fat, salt, and sugar.
This change occurred under the previous government and remains in place despite the ongoing obesity crisis linked to ultra-processed food consumption, which makes up half of the average British diet and is associated with increased risks of early death. Critics argue the shift benefits the food industry’s profits more than public health. The Department of Health states it remains committed to tackling obesity and harmful food marketing, while the FDF defends its lobbying as clarifying guidance to align with existing legislation.
