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Written Question
Nutrition
Wednesday 26th November 2025

Asked by: Baroness Bakewell (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage healthy eating.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

As set out in our 10-Year Health Plan, we will take decisive action on the obesity crisis, easing the strain on our National Health Service and creating the healthiest generation of children ever.

With measures like mandatory business reporting and targets, we are moving to a more strategic, outcomes-based approach focussing on reducing less healthy food consumption, in line with United Kingdom dietary guidelines. We are implementing restrictions on the advertising of less healthy food or drink products on television before 9:00pm and all paid-for advertising online. Volume price promotion restrictions came into force in England on 1 October 2025. This restricts volume price promotions on ‘less healthy’ food and drink in stores and their equivalent places online.

The UK dietary guidelines, as depicted in the Eatwell Guide, advise that people should eat plenty of fruit and vegetables and wholegrain or higher-fibre foods, as well as less processed meat, and food and drink that is high in sugar, calories, saturated fat, and salt. The Eatwell Guide principles are communicated through a variety of channels, including the NHS.UK website and Government social marketing campaigns. The guide also underpins Government catering guidance and standards.

The Department also has a series of websites and digital tools that support adults and families to eat better, providing guidance on healthy eating. These include the Food Scanner app, NHS weight loss plan app, email programmes and websites such as Better Health, Better Health Families, and Best Start in Life.

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