The Soil Association has questioned the Government’s decision after a refusing to stop endorsing biscuits, cakes, crisps, chocolate puddings and fizzy pop through the Food Scanner app that has been downloaded half a million times. The Government app describes these ultra-processed foods as a ‘good choice’ despite their links to cancer, heart disease and an early death.
Around 14,000 people have signed a petition and 2,000 have written to their MP demanding the Government put a stop to this. The Government has failed to act and Secretary of State for Health Steve Barclay has declined to meet with Soil Association experts, who are concerned about how much the profit-driven food industry is shaping public health policy.
Cathy Cliff, campaign coordinator at the Soil Association, commented: “We are deeply concerned about the influence of the food and drink industry over UK health policy. Our Government is actively promoting ultra-processed foods to cash-strapped families while MPs are walking out of parliament carrying giant bars of Cadbury’s chocolate. Why does the UK Government think this is appropriate?
“Ultra-processed foods make up almost two-thirds of British children’s diets. And yet the Food Scanner app continues to tell families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis that biscuits, energy drinks and other products with no nutritional value are good choices. Our Government should be more concerned about kids’ health and the impact on the NHS than corporate profits.
“Other countries are taking action to help citizens reduce consumption of ultra-processed foods and, after two years of campaigning, we’re pleased the Government’s Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition is now reviewing the evidence linking these foods to poor health. But we need action and the very least our Government should do is remove their endorsement from these foods.”
Since the Soil Association launched its Taking the Biscuit campaign, the industry-funded British Nutrition Foundation issued a position statement warning against the inclusion of ultra-processed foods in national dietary guidelines. Other countries have taken such action, including France and Brazil.