Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the findings of the study relating to ultra-processed food and national dietary guidelines published in Nature Medicine on 4 August; and what steps they will take to ensure that national dietary guidelines take account of food processing.

A randomised, crossover trial evaluating the effects of ultra processed or minimally processed diets following healthy dietary guidelines on weight and cardiometabolic health was published by Dicken et al in Nature Medicine on 4 August 2025. A formal assessment of the study has not yet been carried out.

United Kingdom dietary recommendations are based on robust independent risk assessments by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN). The SACN assessed the evidence on processed foods and health in a position statement in 2023 and a rapid evidence update in April 2025.

The SACN has concluded that the observed associations between higher consumption of ultra processed foods and adverse health outcomes are concerning. The SACN recommends that on balance, most people are likely to benefit from reducing their consumption of processed foods high in energy, saturated fat, salt, and free sugars, and which are low in fibre

The SACN has made a number of research recommendations to help understand whether processing is a risk factor, over and above the nutrients and energy intake. The SACN will consider the evidence published since its rapid evidence update, including this study, at its horizon scanning meeting in 2026.

The UK’s national food model, The Eatwell Guide, which is based on the SACN’s recommendations, already indicates that many foods classified as ultra processed, such as crisps, biscuits, cakes, confectionery, and ice cream, are not part of a healthy, balanced diet. It advises that people should eat more fruit and vegetables and wholegrain or higher-fibre foods, as well as less red and processed meat and food and drink that is high in sugar, calories, saturated fat, and salt.

The Government continues to invest in research on ultra processed foods through the National Institute for Health and Care Research and UK Research and Innovation.