UK experts call for mandatory nutrition labeling and new tax on salt and processed foods

Researchers are urging the UK government to extend the sugar tax to apply to all processed foods while implementing a similar salt levy. These suggestions, which highlight the country’s obesity crisis, are presented in a new report by the University of Reading and the action group Transforming UK Food Systems Programme.

“To avoid these levies being regressive, revenues should be spent on relevant subsidies to bring down the price and access to healthy foods for those in need,” the experts suggest. “The sugar levy has been effective, but its scope is limited to drinks and only certain types of those.” 

“The levy should be extended to more drinks, especially those aimed at children like milkshakes, as well as to food including biscuits, yogurts, cakes, breakfast cereals, and sweets. Salt is also a health concern and would similarly benefit from the product reformulation incentivization provided by a levy.”

The UK government recently took steps to begin overhauling unhealthy food systems, forming a Food Strategy Advisory Board of industry veterans to improve access to affordable, healthy food in light of climate and geopolitical risks.

Professor Chris Hilson, lead author of the report at the University of Reading, says: “Extending the sugar tax to all processed foods is vital. The current levy has successfully cut sugar in soft drinks, but we need to see the same success with products like milkshakes, biscuits, yogurts, and breakfast cereals to improve public health. Mandatory measures on the food sector, such as a salt tax, should be considered by MPs.”

“Stronger regulations on the wider food sector could mean a healthier environment, as well as a healthier population. Setting targets for reducing red and processed meat consumption is one way the government can reduce the UK’s climate impact while cutting cancer risk.” 

Label and voluntary measures fail

The report advocates for stricter regulations in the food sector, focusing on environmental damage and health outcomes, and implementing mandatory food labeling for all products.

To avoid levies being regressive, revenues should be spent on relevant subsidies to bring down the price and access to healthy foods for those in need, reveals the report.The researchers believe stronger regulations will hold the food sector accountable because the current system relies on voluntary action. “Voluntary instruments are generally of limited effectiveness because companies are not willing to make significant changes to their unhealthy and less sustainable food products due to competitiveness concerns,” the report underscores. 

“Mandatory obligations across all companies remove such concerns and create a level playing field.”

Professor Christine Riefa, University of Reading, says: “Voluntary approaches have not worked, and we are now in a crisis state. Companies and farmers who want to do better are undermined by those who profit from ignoring health and environmental concerns.”

The report notes nutrition and information labels on food packaging have failed to prevent environmental damage and poor health outcomes. “Consumers are not a homogenous group, and while labeling will work for some, there are others whom it will have difficulty reaching.”

It adds that the government should favor mandatory front-of-pack, traffic light, and warning message labeling: “These have, to date, proved to be the most effective at delivering messages to consumers about food that has particularly poor health outcomes.” 

Researchers caution that consumers should pay close attention to the relationship between sustainability and health labeling to avoid confusion. Therefore, labeling education is needed to maximize benefits of labeling requirements.

Professor Hilson comments: “Stronger regulation would support economic growth and national security.”

“We can’t produce food without healthy soils, thriving pollinators, and a stable climate, and no economy benefits from a population made sick by poor diets.”

Voluntary approaches have not worked, and we are now in a crisis state, warns Riefa.A recent UK report exposes excessive salt and sugar in popular snacks, raising alarm with less than eight months to go before national advertising restrictions roll out in October.

Other recommendations

The government is expected to release its 25-year farming roadmap and food strategy later this year. “The report offers a comprehensive menu of regulatory tools to transform the UK’s food landscape,” says Riefa.

The report’s authors stress that the UK government should set “more concrete” health targets, update sugar targets for adults, standardize corporate health targets, distinguish between intensity-based and absolute targets, and focus on social sustainability in the agri-food sector.

Actions should also introduce binding farm-to-fork food waste and pesticide reduction targets, as well as GHG reduction targets for meat and dairy.

It also suggests that large food businesses give mandatory reports on their sales of unhealthy products while making front-of-pack traffic light food labeling mandatory for all products. 

In the last year, “Big Food” has faced mounting pressure from stakeholders on the basis of unhealthy product sales. In March 2024, Nestlé rebuffed shareholder allegations that its portfolio lacks a nutritious focus.

Leading food and beverage manufacturers in the UK have been outspoken against such claims. Last year, Unilever, Nestlé, Ferrero, and Coca-Cola disputed a report published by the youth activist movement Bite Back, which concluded that “the majority of global food manufacturers are reliant on selling unhealthy products in the UK.”