Government urges supermarkets to help shoppers eat healthier
Supermarkets and food manufacturers in England will be asked to make it easier for customers to choose healthy options under new government plans aimed at tackling rising obesity rates.
Announced recently, the strategy encourages food retailers to support healthier shopping habits through initiatives such as discounts on nutritious products, tweaking loyalty schemes and changing store layouts. Retailers will also report on healthy food sales, with voluntary targets agreed in partnership with government.
The move is part of a wider ten-year health plan for the NHS, due to be published soon. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the approach marks a shift away from the previous government's "nanny state" tactics, instead focusing on working with the food industry to support better choices.
“If we reduced our calorie intake by just fifty a day, we could take over 300,000 children and two million adults out of obesity,” Streeting told the BBC.
More than one in five children in England are living with obesity by the end of primary school, rising to nearly one in three in deprived areas. Obesity-related conditions cost the NHS around £11 billion each year.
Other measures include:
Shopping vouchers for those who eat healthily and stay active, via a new app
Doubling NHS Digital Weight Management Programme spaces
Exploring tighter restrictions on alcohol advertising
Industry response has been mixed. Andrew Opie of the British Retail Consortium welcomed the plan but warned that “all food businesses”, including restaurants and takeaways, must be involved to make a meaningful impact.
Health groups have cautiously welcomed the focus on industry, with Katharine Jenner from the Obesity Health Alliance calling the food environment “the root cause of obesity-related ill health.”
But experts warn more action is needed. A recent report found 1,000 calories of healthy food costs more than double that of less healthy options. Sarah Woolnough of The King’s Fund said without wider reforms “this will not be enough.”