The Obesity Health Alliance has joined over 100 organisations – including campaign groups, major supermarkets, food businesses and investors – have united to urge the Government to introduce a Good Food Bill.
Convened by The Food Foundation, Sustain and Green Alliance, the coalition warns that the UK’s failing food system now poses a serious risk to both public health and national security.
Their joint statement, backed by dozens of NGOs and leading academics, comes as new polling highlights strong public support for action:
- 69% of people believe the Government should do more to ensure everyone can afford and access healthy food.
- 65% support a ‘Food Bill’ that would place clear duties and measurable targets on public bodies to improve access to affordable, healthy food.
At a time of unprecedented pressures – including biodiversity loss, the degradation of vital ecosystems, and the growing risk of food shortages and further price rises – the case for reform has never been stronger. A Good Food Bill represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a food system that protects public health, strengthens food security, and supports farmers and responsible food businesses.
Katharine Jenner, Executive Director of the Obesity Health Alliance responds:
“Obesity, food insecurity and diet-related illnesses are not evitable – they are a product of our broken food system that has placed less healthy food and drink in the spotlight for too long.
The public mandate for action is clear – now we just need the Government to respond to the scale of the challenges by introducing a Good Food Bill to help build a fairer, healthier and more resilient food system that works for people, communities and businesses alike.
We have seen time and time again; legislative action is what is needed to catalyse real change. The health of our children, the resilience of our communities, and the future of our economy depend on the choices our government make now.”