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 levels of consumption of highly processed foods.

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. In relation to reducing the consumption of foods and drinks high in calories, saturated fat, salt, and sugar, many of which would be considered as highly processed, work is progressing through the following:

• in a world-first, all large food businesses will be mandated to report against standardised metrics on healthier food sales by the end of this Parliament. Using that reporting, we will set new targets to increase the healthiness of sales in all communities;
• current food, advertising, and promotion restrictions use the 2004 Nutrient Profile Model to categorise which foods are more or less healthy. This is plainly out of date, and we will update these standards. We will consult on implementation in 2026; and
• we will also fulfil our commitments to restrict junk food advertising targeted at children and will ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under 16 year olds. We have already given local councils stronger powers to block new fast-food outlets near schools and are taking steps to ensure the Soft Drink Industry Levy remains fit for purpose.

To support those in greatest need, we will uplift the value of the weekly payments delivered by the Healthy Start scheme by 10%, boosting the ability to buy fruit and vegetables for those families who need it most.

The Government’s Eatwell Guide already advises that people should eat more 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. For example the Better Health Healthier Families website and the Healthy Steps email programme, which aims to help families with primary aged children in England to eat well and move more.

A range of actions that have already been taken to create a healthier environment to help reduce consumption of processed foods that are high in energy, saturated fat, salt, and free sugars include:

• the Healthy Start scheme, which supported over 358,000 in June 2025;
• the Nursery Milk Scheme, which provides a reimbursement to childcare providers in England and Wales for a daily 1/3 pint portion of milk to children and babies; and
• the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme, which provides approximately 2.2 million children in Key Stage 1 with a portion of fresh fruit or vegetables per day at school.