Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help reduce the risk of bowel cancer through encouraging higher fibre diets in schools and other public sector settings.

There is strong evidence that eating a diet high in fibre is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and bowel cancer. Government recommendations on fibre are reflected in the United Kingdom’s national food model, the Eatwell Guide, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-eatwell-guide

The guide shows that we should base our diets on foods which are sources of fibre, for instance vegetables, fruit, and wholegrain or higher fibre starchy carbohydrate foods, as well as beans and pulses. The principles of the guide are communicated through a variety of channels, including the NHS.UK website and the Department’s social marketing campaigns Better Health, Better Health Families, and Best Start in Life. The Eatwell Guide also underpins catering guidance and standards for school food and prisons, as well as the Government Buying Standards for Food and Catering Services which apply to the Government and its agencies. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sustainable-procurement-the-gbs-for-food-and-catering-services/government-buying-standard-for-food-and-catering-services

The Department for Education is currently consulting on proposals for updating School Food Standards, bringing them in line with the latest dietary advice, including on fibre.