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What do the foodies need to know about the 'Recipe for health' The new plan to fix our broken food system from the House of Lords?

Writer's picture: Grounded ResearchGrounded Research

Updated: Oct 25, 2024


lady cooking in her kitchen with lots of fresh food.
Heathy cooking

Published today, this report promises to brings into sharp focus the UK's ongoing struggle with diet-related health issues. If it sounds familiar, it's probably because it is echoing many of the warnings set out by Henry Dimbleby in his National Food Strategy. Dimbleby’s strategy called for a bold overhaul of the nation’s food systems to tackle the rising tide of obesity, promote sustainability, and support British agriculture. Yet, since its publication, there has been little progress or ambition in addressing the systemic issues he identified, and the committee’s latest findings suggest that the lack of a coherent, government-led food strategy continues to leave the sector in limbo.


As an agency working across the entire food supply chain, we see that it’s not just the nation’s health at stake. The whole sector—from chemical companies and animal feed producers to crop growers, processors, and packers, right through to retailers and consumers—desperately needs a robust government strategy that can offer security for investment, foster innovation, and provide much-needed support. Without clear, unified action, businesses across the supply chain are left facing uncertainty, inhibiting their ability to plan, invest, and innovate to meet future demands.


Here are the key messages we picked out from the report:


  1. Obesity: A National Health Crisis

    The report declares obesity and diet-related illnesses a public health emergency. Two-thirds of adults in England are overweight or obese, and 29% are classed as obese. The issue is equally critical among children, with more than a third leaving primary school already overweight or obese. The report emphasises that this is not a matter of individual responsibility alone, but a systemic problem that needs urgent addressing​.

  2. Systemic Failures in Tackling Obesity

    Despite over 700 government policies introduced since 1992, the obesity crisis has only worsened. Past strategies have been criticised for relying on voluntary measures and focusing too much on individual responsibility, failing to address broader environmental and socio-economic factors that drive unhealthy eating habits. The report calls for a new, comprehensive approach​.

  3. A Call for Stronger Regulation and Oversight

    The committee recommends implementing a legislative framework mandating a healthier food system. This includes giving the Food Standards Agency independent oversight, with the power to set and enforce targets for healthier food production and sales. Robust leadership at the highest levels of government is essential for driving this change​.

  4. The Role of Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs)

    Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) remain a key concern. Widely consumed and aggressively marketed, these foods are often high in sugar, fat, and salt. While there is ongoing debate about their health impacts, the report insists that this should not delay regulatory action. It recommends stricter advertising rules, clearer labelling, and further research into UPFs​.

  5. The Economic Cost of Obesity

    Beyond health, obesity imposes a significant economic burden. Current estimates suggest obesity costs the UK economy up to £58 billion a year, and this figure is set to rise. Healthcare expenses related to obesity could reach £9.7 billion by 2050, while the broader economic toll, including lost productivity, already accounts for 1-2% of the UK’s GDP​.

  6. Supporting Healthier Eating for Children and Families

    The report calls for stronger measures to promote healthier eating from a young age. This includes tighter regulations on infant and toddler foods, improved standards for school meals, and expanding initiatives like the Healthy Start scheme to ensure low-income families can access affordable, nutritious food. These measures are crucial to breaking the cycle of poor diets.

  7. Taxing the Problem, Subsidising the Solution

    Among the more controversial recommendations is the introduction of a salt and sugar reformulation tax, similar to the Soft Drinks Industry Levy. The aim is to make it less profitable for companies to produce unhealthy foods, while subsidies could make healthier options more affordable and accessible. Bold action is needed to shift consumer behaviour and reduce health inequalities.


This report is a stark reminder that without a coordinated, systemic approach, the UK’s food system will continue to fail both consumers and businesses. The need for decisive government action has never been more urgent, to ensure the future of our food supply chain and the health of the nation.


The full report is here if you have a spare 2 hours to read it... but we hope you found our summary useful!

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