MPs tell government to ‘stand up to food industry’ over England’s obesity crisis

MPs have told the government to stand up to food industry pressure and introduce mandatory healthy food sales targets, financial penalties and tougher marketing controls to tackle England’s obesity crisis.

The cross-party Health and Social Care Committee made the call in a report published on 15 July 2026. It wants targets for major supermarkets within 12 months and for the wider food industry during this Parliament, with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) enforcing the system through potential sliding-scale fines.

The committee accused previous governments of putting industry concerns ahead of public health. It wants ministers to exclude food businesses that derive more than a specified proportion of sales from less healthy products – and their trade bodies – from discussions shaping food, diet and obesity prevention policy.

MPs also urged ministers to close advertising loopholes, ban outdoor advertising for products high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) by July 2027 and introduce mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labelling by January 2028.

In 2024, 30 percent of adults in England were living with obesity and a further 36 percent were overweight. The Department of Health and Social Care, citing research by Frontier Economics, said obesity costs the UK £74.3 billion annually, including £11.4 billion for the NHS and £8.9 billion for businesses.

Committee chair Layla Moran MP said: “We ask this government to be bold, not to fudge and delay food restrictions. While we acknowledge the costs of policy changes to the food industry, these are marginal compared to the huge costs of inaction on obesity to society, the economy and the health service.”

Supermarkets face targets and potential fines

Under the proposals, supermarkets would report healthier food sales and compare promotions on HFSS products with those on fruit and vegetables. The committee suggested using revenue from penalties to make healthier food more affordable.

The recommendations build on the government’s Healthy Food Standard, announced in June 2025, and follow a joint call from Tesco and leading health charities for mandatory reporting across the sector.

Ministers have yet to settle the scheme’s design. The Department of Health and Social Care plans to consult on the proposals, while the FSA has been identified as a potential regulator, subject to consultation and ministerial approval.

The committee also wants England’s promotion and placement regulations updated by January 2027. Retailers would have to position fruit and vegetables prominently at entrances and checkouts, while online “special offers” pages would come within the rules.

Advertising controls that came into force on 5 January 2026 prohibit less healthy product adverts on television between 5.30am and 9pm and paid-for online adverts at any time. Brand-only advertising remains exempt, but MPs want brand and range promotions brought within scope.

Ministers have also consulted on applying the updated 2018 Nutrient Profiling Model to advertising and promotion restrictions.

We don’t agree that food and drink manufacturers should be excluded from discussions on health policy. Government needs advice from the people who make food to understand if new policies are workable in practice. This expertise doesn’t exist in government departments.”

Kate Halliwell, FDF Chief Scientific Officer

Industry and health groups respond

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) supported mandatory reporting but raised concerns about proposals to exclude some manufacturers and trade associations from health policy discussions.

Kate Halliwell, FDF Chief Scientific Officer, said: “Food and drink manufacturers remain committed to continuing to work with government to tackle obesity and poor diets. It’s good that the Committee acknowledged the progress manufacturers are making to reduce salt, sugar and calories in everyday food, and to increase fibre. We appreciate their support too for a scheme to help smaller businesses change recipes to make products healthier. However, we agree that more still needs to be done and so we support the Committee’s call for government to bring forward plans to introduce mandatory reporting of healthier food sales.

“However, we don’t agree that food and drink manufacturers should be excluded from discussions on health policy. Government needs advice from the people who make food to understand if new policies are workable in practice. This expertise doesn’t exist in government departments. The proposed 2018 NPM is a case in point – industry wasn’t consulted when the model was redesigned and we now have serious concerns that it will be unworkable.

“On the advertising and promotion restrictions, these have only just come into force. Our clear view is that government needs to assess whether the regulation is having an impact and how before deciding to impose further changes.”

Katharine Jenner, Executive Director of the Obesity Health Alliance, welcomed the committee’s recommendations and called for faster government action.

“This report is a timely reminder that the evidence on obesity prevention has been clear for years,” she said. “The Committee’s recommendations are firmly grounded in public health evidence and reflect the bold, joined up action that the Obesity Health Alliance and others have long called for, to create a healthier food environment as part of the 10 Year Health Plan for England.”

She said measures already on the government’s agenda had too often faced delays or dilution after sustained industry pressure.

Jenner added: “If we are serious about improving the nation’s health, reducing pressure on the NHS and giving every child the best start in life, we must tackle the root causes by making healthier choices easier and more affordable for everyone. This is the moment for the Government to break the ‘junk food cycle’ of inaction and deliver the healthier future families deserve.”

The committee will publish a second report on weight-management treatment and medication later this year.