I do understand the concerns about the issues raised in this campaign. I can assure you that the Government encourages everyone to have a healthy balanced diet in line with the United Kingdom’s healthy eating model, the Eatwell Guide, which shows that foods high in fat, salt or sugar should be eaten less often or in small amounts.
Government dietary guidelines are based on advice from expert groups, including the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN). SACN is currently carrying out a scoping review of the evidence on processed foods and health and aims to publish a position statement in the summer of 2023.
In relation to the Good Choice badge, I understand that it is underpinned by nutrition criteria that determine which products can display the badge. Both the Good Choice app and the wider Better Health campaign support families on their journey towards having a healthier diet, by helping them to see what is in their food and drinks and suggesting healthier alternatives, where these exist, that can help reduce sugar, saturated fat and salt intakes.
Whilst a number of steps are being taken to reduce levels of calories in products with high levels of salt, sugar and fat, there is certainly more that can be done and I look forward to reading the results of the SACN review once it is published.
(April 2023)
