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Ultra-processed Food
21 June 2023
Lead MP
Suzanne Webb
Responding Minister
Neil O'Brien
Tags
NHS
Word Count: 9181
Other Contributors: 7
At a Glance
Suzanne Webb raised concerns about ultra-processed food in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Webb urges the Government to introduce an advertising watershed before 2025 and address misleading health claims on food products. She suggests that manufacturers need to take responsibility for their products' impact on public health.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Suzanne Webb is deeply concerned about the impact of ultra-processed food on health outcomes, particularly obesity. She notes that these foods dominate supermarket shelves and are linked to heart disease, kidney and liver failure, cancer, depression, and obesity. According to statistics from the Dimbleby report, 64% of adults and 40% of children aged 10 to 11 in England are obese or overweight. Webb highlights that ultra-processed foods make up half of total dietary energy intake in the UK and more than 60% for children. She also cites a staggering loss of 1.5 million years of healthy life due to diet-related illnesses annually, with obesity costing the NHS £6.5 billion yearly.
Andrew Gwynne
Ind
Gorton and Denton
He commended the debate on ultra-processed foods, highlighting that diets high in these products can lead to poor health outcomes. He criticised the Government's delay in banning junk food advertisements targeted at children and their scrapping of the health disparities White Paper as steps backwards. Gwynne asked what action beyond pilots the Government is taking to address rising obesity rates.
Carol Monaghan
SNP
Glasgow North West
I congratulate the hon. Member on securing an important debate about ultra-processed food and argues that such food is highly addictive and should be regulated similarly to other harmful substances like cigarettes and alcohol. She intervened to highlight that while sugar has been removed from soft drinks, other harmful ingredients like aspartame have taken its place. She suggested that the levy on sugary drinks has not impacted childhood obesity and proposed looking at alternative measures. Highlighted the difficulties faced by obese children in exercising and the economic burden of ultra-processed foods, noting they are expensive.
Greg Knight
Con
Welwyn Hatfield
I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing the debate and suggests that ultra-processed food should carry a health warning similar to cigarette packets, with clear typeface for visibility.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Made a brief intervention regarding ordering practices without specific context or statistics. During interventions, Jim Shannon asked Suzanne Webb about her stance on multi-buy deals and the importance of clear labelling regarding food content. He shared his personal experience with diabetes and emphasized the importance of understanding what constitutes ultra-processed food, noting that such foods account for around 25% to 60% of daily energy intake in many countries. He cited studies linking these foods to higher risks of obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and some cancers.
Jo Gideon
LD
Hastings and Rye
Concerned about the high percentage of ultra-processed food in UK diets, Jo Gideon highlighted that UPFs are linked to health issues such as cancer and obesity. She noted that these foods, despite being marketed as healthy or ethical, contribute significantly to environmental degradation and biodiversity loss due to their industrial production methods.
Maggie Throup
Con
Erewash
Welcomed the importance of tackling obesity and discussed ultra-processed foods, which are high in fat, salt, and sugar. Cited a report arguing that obesity is akin to smoking and proposed interventions similar to those used for tobacco reduction. Intervened by asking whether the Government are still committed to halving child obesity by 2030.
Martyn Day
SNP
Linlithgow and East Falkirk
Expressed concern about the health crisis caused by ultra-processed foods, noting that over half of calories consumed in the UK come from such products. Cited research linking these foods to poor health outcomes and early death. Emphasised the need for a sustainable food strategy targeting high-sugar and ultra-processed foods. Highlighted Scotland's high obesity levels among OECD countries, with children from deprived backgrounds almost three times as likely to be at risk of obesity compared to those from less deprived backgrounds. Noted that 70% of households are now worried about food and drink costs due to inflation.
Government Response
Neil O'Brien
Government Response
The minister discussed the government's approach to tackling obesity by regulating less healthy foods through measures such as calorie labelling in cafés and restaurants. He highlighted spending £150 million annually on healthy food schemes for children and young people, introducing an advertising watershed in 7 years, and committing £40 million towards weight loss drugs. The minister acknowledged that there is no universally agreed definition of ultra-processed food but emphasised the importance of the NOVA definition while acknowledging its limitations. He stated that SACN is conducting a review to assess evidence on processed foods and their impact on health. Additionally, he mentioned aligning diets with existing dietary recommendations depicted in the Eatwell Guide to deliver considerable population health benefits and healthcare savings.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.