Nomad: mandatory labelling and HFSS taxes are key to tackling obesity

We must adopt a ‘radically new approach to the food industry’. This is one of many arguments put forward by the House of Lords Food, Diet and Obesity Committee in its landmark report on addressing the nation’s diet.

As the chief executive of one of the world’s largest frozen food businesses, we recognise the responsibility we have in offering nutritious, accessible and tasty food.

The report is a major step forward in addressing public health and dietary concerns. It notes that nearly two thirds of UK adults are classified as overweight or obese, with the prevalence of obesity highest in the most deprived areas. In addition, the UK has the second highest share of people living with obesity in the G7 group of developed countries.

While not everyone will agree with the contents of the report, we believe the direction is right and that the food industry has an important role to play.

Nomad Foods supports the broad package of measures outlined in the report. We were one of three food companies who gave oral evidence to the Committee’s inquiry earlier in the year. There, we put forward the argument for mandatory reporting of healthy product sales, with targets for improvement on an annual basis.

We also believe that mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labelling could play a vital role in helping the public understand what is healthy and what is not.

And of course, ahead of the Chancellor’s first budget, ‘tax’ is on the mind of every business.

We support the idea of a tax that promotes reformulation and innovation. A tax should be based on the HFSS classification, which looks at the total nutritional profile of a product, taking a science-based approach that follows the UK government’s nutrient profiling model.

Basing a tax on singular ingredients like sugar and salt is too narrow. The food industry has a huge opportunity to make popular products healthier through reformulation, and the HFSS classification would provide a clear pathway for manufacturers to do this.

To radically change the food industry, the industry must be part of the conversation.

While some campaigners arguethe industry should not be consulted on policies, we are not a homogeneous entity that thinks and acts the same way. Those that walk the talk on nutrition and exceed regulation deserve a seat at the table. We applaud the secretary of state for health and social care’s proposal to create a “coalition of the willing” and would welcome a collaboration like this to help drive change.

The food manufacturing industry is collectively one of the largest employers in this country and is central to economic growth and standards of living. Beyond this, we understand the practical and technological abilities of implementing certain policy ideas and are a source of funding. So it is right – if not fundamental – that we work together with government.

Britain’s obesity problem is multifaceted and while there is no silver bullet, this report is a major step forward. It presents a comprehensive set of policies that can positively impact the food that gets produced, bought and eaten in the UK.

Those of us reading this who work in the food industry should consider how we can all play a role in supporting this goal. And to the new government, we say let’s unlock a healthier food system and, ultimately, a healthier society.