Supermarkets and food manufacturers in England will be expected to help tackle rising obesity rates by making it easier for customers to choose healthier food, under a new government initiative announced today.
Ministers have confirmed a partnership with major food retailers to improve the health of the nation through measures that could include promotions on healthy items, changes to shop layouts, tweaks to loyalty schemes, and product reformulation. While the precise steps will be left to individual retailers, the aim is to make healthy eating more accessible and affordable, particularly for families in lower-income areas.
Under the new strategy, large retailers will be required to report on the proportion of their sales that come from healthy food, with targets agreed in collaboration with the government. The move is designed to boost transparency and accountability across the sector.
The policy will form part of the NHS’s forthcoming 10-year plan for England, due to be published next week, and is seen as a key measure to reduce pressure on the health service.
“Unless we curb the rising tide of cost and demand, the NHS risks becoming unsustainable,” said Health Secretary Wes Streeting. “This government’s ambition for kids today is for them to be part of the healthiest generation of children ever. That is within our grasp.”
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