Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if his Department will encourage makers of drinks high in sugar to consider (a) product reformulation, (b) smaller pack sizes and (c) increased promotion of low and no calorie drinks.

Measures by industry to reduce calories and sugar are important components in any approach to reduce obesity. Some supermarkets and manufacturers have already taken a range of actions to reduce sugar in their soft drinks, but the challenge to industry to go further remains.

The Government recommends that everyone should eat at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables per day. The five a day message is communicated through public health messaging and advice, for example through the Change4Life campaign and NHS Choices messaging on healthy eating.

The British Medical Association’s recent report is an important contribution to the debate around obesity and food, as are the recommendations set out in the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition’s report, Carbohydrates and Health, published on 17 July and which the Government accepted. This, together with evidence from Public Health England on sugar reduction is informing our approach to diet including sugar reduction. We will put forward our plans for action in this area in our childhood obesity strategy before the end of the year.