British Nutrition Foundation report urges action to close fibre gap

The British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) has urged government, manufacturers, retailers and foodservice operators to take coordinated action to close the UK’s fibre gap after a new report revealed that just four percent of adults meet recommended daily fibre intake levels.

Published today, the report also found that nearly 70 percent of foods sold through the out-of-home sector are low in fibre, pointing to a significant opportunity for reformulation and product innovation across the food industry.

The report, Dietary Fibre in 2026: An Update on Barriers & Opportunities to Fill the UK Fibre Gap, identifies taste preferences, cost concerns and limited consumer understanding as the main factors preventing consumers from increasing fibre intake. It argues that food businesses can play a critical role by making higher-fibre options more accessible, visible and appealing.

“The UK’s fibre gap remains one of the most persistent nutritional challenges we face,” said Elaine Hindal, Chief Executive of the British Nutrition Foundation. ”Food manufacturers, retailers and the out-of-home sector all have a vital role to play- from reformulating everyday products to improving availability, visibility and choice. But industry cannot solve this alone. Coordinated action with government will be essential to improve understanding around fibre and to make higher-fibre options accessible, affordable and appealing across the food environment.”

Reformulation emerges as fastest route to more fibre

The findings come as food businesses face growing pressure to improve the nutritional profile of products while maintaining affordability and consumer appeal. According to the report, reformulating familiar products could provide one of the most effective routes to increasing fibre intake without relying solely on behaviour change.

Consumer research cited in the report found that 50 percent of consumers would be more likely to buy products they already eat, including bread, yoghurt, cereal and snacks, if they contained added fibre and tasted the same. The Foundation says this creates a strong case for “health-by-stealth” reformulation strategies across widely consumed food categories.

Among its recommendations for industry, the report calls for faster reformulation of staple foods, greater collaboration with suppliers to develop fibre-rich ingredients, and stronger promotion of higher-fibre products across retail, online and out-of-home environments. It also highlights the need for clearer and more consistent communication to help consumers understand the benefits of fibre.

The food industry cannot solve this alone. Coordinated action with government will be essential to improve understanding around fibre and to make higher-fibre options accessible, affordable and appealing across the food environment.”

Elaine Hindal, Chief Executive of the British Nutrition Foundation

The Foundation is also calling on policymakers to strengthen fibre labelling requirements. Recommendations include mandatory fibre information on back-of-pack labels, consideration of fibre on front-of-pack traffic light schemes, and a review of existing fibre health claims to make them more meaningful for consumers.

The report also urges government to update UK food composition data and align policies across public health, agriculture, procurement, school food and marketing to encourage higher fibre consumption.

With fibre intakes remaining stubbornly low despite years of public health messaging, the BNF argues that closing the gap will require action across the entire food system, making higher-fibre choices easier for consumers wherever they shop, eat and drink.