19 May 2025 Government u-turn on promoting ‘nutritious food’ is hard to digest…
…in the face of spiralling obesity rates and costly anti-obesity medications.
BANT is dismayed to read the government withdrew recommendations to food manufacturers and retailers to promote ‘minimally processed’ and ‘nutritious foods’ in the face of lobbying from global food companies as reported in The Guardian
BANT has repeatedly called for measures to act against the drivers of obesity and restrict ultra-processed foods and drinks (UPFDs), in a collective effort to create a food environment for good health. BANT’s agenda to ‘reclaim the UK’s health’, as laid out in our 2024 manifesto, outlined the need for:
- mandatory reporting by food companies, with clear targets and penalties for volume of UPFDs/HFSS foods sold; fruits and vegetables/fibre foods sold; types of protein sold; amount of food wasted.
- mandatory minimum promotional thresholds on fresh whole foods to ensure fruit, vegetables and protein foods are equitably promoted.
News of this latest government u-turn is hard to digest in the face of spiralling obesity rates and dangerous trends for GLP-1 anti-obesity medications (AOMs).
BANT’s position on AOMs is highlighted in a joint statement with The British Society of Lifestyle Medicine (BSLM) and the College of Medicine and Integrated Health (CoM) advocating for safe and cautious use of these medications.
Ultra-processed foods and drinks (UPFDs) account for more than 50% of daily calories in the UK. As a nation, we are moving further away from real food. A total of 64% of the population is currently obese (28%) or overweight (36%). A 2024 British Medical Journal (BMJ) review found that ultra-processed foods linked to 32 harmful effects to health.
It is shocking that The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) was able to leverage its power to this extent and influence government policy and wording. If the government is committed to building a healthier Britain we need to prioritise providing access to health-promoting foods to all communities, particularly low-income families, and food companies and retailers need to be held accountable.
BANT also argues the case for improving current dietary guidelines and resources – given the severely outdated and under-funded Eatwell Guide.
“We need decisive action on all drivers of the UK obesogenic environment, starting with the de-escalation of UPFDs” states BANT Director, Isabel Hemmings.
BANT urges Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, to deliver clear policy on restricting UPFDs and not to curtail to FDF pressure to put profit before the nation’s health.
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NOTES TO EDITORS:
BANT is the leading professional body for Registered Nutritional Therapy Practitioners in one-to-one clinical practice and a self-regulator for BANT Registered Nutritionists®. BANT members combine a network approach to complex systems, incorporating the latest science from genetic, epigenetic, diet and nutrition research to inform individualised recommendations. BANT oversees the activities, training and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) of its members.
Registered Nutritional Therapists are regulated by the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) that holds an Accredited Voluntary Register (AVR) for the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA). A report by the Royal Society for Public Health and the Professional Standards Agency made a key recommendation that AVR practitioners have the authority to make direct NHS referrals, in appropriate cases, to ease the administrative burden on GP surgeries. BANT nutrition practitioners are the key workforce asset to harness 21st century lifestyle medicine to tackle the rising tide of stress-related fatigue, obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, dementia and other chronic diseases.
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BANT WELLBEING GUIDELINES:
The BANT Wellbeing Guidelines are specifically designed to provide clear, easy to understand general information for healthy diet and lifestyle when personalised advice is not available.
Alongside these guidelines, the BANT “Food for your Health” free open-access resources are available to educate and guide the public towards healthier food choices in prevention for diet-induced disease. Download a wide range of food and lifestyle guides, recipes, infographics, planning tools and fact sheets and start making healthy choices today.
