Britain’s food system “relentlessly” pushes consumers to make unhealthy choices, an annual report has found.

The food environment, including products advertised to consumers, restaurant menus and promotions offered in supermarkets, shapes diets and “set us up for failure”, the charity Food Foundation has said.

Its annual report on the state of the national food industry cites a 2022 study by the University of Liverpool which found that just five companies – Haribo, Mars, Mondelez, PepsiCo and Kellogg’s – were responsible for more than 80%. previously aired TV commercials for snacks and confectionery. 9 p.m.

In September, the government confirmed that a ban on junk food adverts being shown on TV before 9pm would come into force on October 1 next year, although there are already well-established restrictions which ban broadcasting such advertisements on channels dedicated to children or near children. programs.

The Food Foundation report also claims that almost a third (30%) of major UK restaurant chains serve main meals where more than half of the options are “worrisomely” low in salt, and that almost a multi -In five supermarket purchases concern meat and dairy products, with half of these deals on processed meat.

There is a “clear lack of accountability”, with food industry giants failing to set targets or report on their company’s health outcomes.

The report includes data from the charity’s Plating Up Progress research, which monitors 36 major UK food companies’ disclosure of transparent data on targets to support the sale of healthier and more sustainable food.

It found that only one in four major UK food companies disclose data on the safety of their sales, with restaurant chains and fast food outlets in some ways the least transparent sector, having made no progress since last year in defining objectives aimed at improving safety. menus.

The Food Foundation said food industry representatives and their trade associations met ministers at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) a total of 1,377 times between 2020 and 2023, i.e. more than 40 times more meetings than those organized between non-governmental organizations in the food sector. and Defra ministers.

The charity said it had analyzed data from a range of sources to build a picture of the UK food system.

Last month, peers said companies should be fined for failing to comply with rules aimed at reducing sales of unhealthy foods to address the “public health emergency” posed by obesity.

Businesses would be required to report on their progress towards sugar and salt reduction targets and would face sanctions for failing to meet the Lords Food, Diet and Obesity Committee’s proposals.

The charity is calling on the government to introduce mandatory reporting for all major food companies on the safety and sustainability of their sales.

Rebecca Tobi, from the Food Foundation, said: “This year’s State of the Nation’s Food Industry report demonstrates the enormous impact of food companies in shaping the food we eat – and how current system sets us up for failure.

“It’s not fair that the most affordable, attractive and practical options are often the most unhealthy.

“We urgently need the Government to introduce regulation to raise standards and create a level playing field that allows progressive businesses to go further, faster.

“If we are to have any chance of ensuring the next generation is healthier than ever – as Labor has promised – then we simply cannot continue to ignore the major role that big food companies play in the development of British diets.

“We need regulation to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to ensure businesses act responsibly, supporting people and the planet as well as making a profit. »

Baroness Walmsley, chair of the Lords Food, Diet and Obesity Committee, said: “When people are swimming against the tide of the availability and advertising of unhealthy foods, there is no point telling them to swim more strong.

“This report shows how far the industry needs to go to help everyone eat well, and the calls for action echo many of those in the Lords committee report.

“The Government must act now to develop a long-term strategy to fix our food system, underpinned by a new legislative framework.

“Without this, companies have insufficient incentive to act in the public interest and will continue to cause harm with their relentless promotion of junk food. »

A spokeswoman for the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) said: “Food and drink manufacturers take the problem of obesity and unhealthy diets very seriously and know we have a key role to play in remedying this.

“Companies have made significant progress in creating healthier options for consumers, based on government guidelines and regulations on high fat, salt and sugar contents.

“Thanks to substantial investment, FDF members’ products now contribute significantly fewer calories, salt and sugar to the UK food market than in 2015.

“Our industry adheres to all advertising rules, including those that restrict the advertising of less healthy foods in media aimed at children.

“Businesses are also preparing for new regulations that will come into force in October 2025.

“We are calling on the government and regulators to act quickly to publish regulations and industry guidance so that we have sufficient time to prepare.”

A Mars spokeswoman said: “As the company behind some of the UK’s best-loved brands, we understand the responsibility we have to help our consumers enjoy our products as part of a healthy diet. healthy and balanced.

“A key part of this is our commitment to young people.

“Since the launch of our Responsible Marketing Code in 2007, we have ensured that all Mars marketing meets UK advertising requirements, as well as our own industry-leading global marketing standards.

“Our third quarter 2022 audit results for UK television show we are 99.2% on track with our audience threshold commitment.

“Through continued innovation and reformulation, we strive to offer a growing range of healthier and delicious options across our iconic brands.

“From our HFSS-free, high-fibre, fruit and nut “Fruit and Nut” range, to reduced salt and increased servings of fiber across our food and nutrition portfolio, we are committed to helping people to make responsible choices.