New polling conducted by YouGov on behalf of the Recipe for Change campaign indicates widespread concern among the British public about the affordability and accessibility of healthy food, alongside strong backing for government intervention in the food system.
According to the findings, a majority of respondents (60%) report that maintaining a balanced diet is difficult. Among those, 81% cite rising food prices as a key barrier, while 70% believe that less healthy food options are often cheaper than healthier alternatives. These findings highlight the financial pressures facing households and the challenges of making nutritious choices within current market conditions.
Public perception of rising food prices is also notable. Of the 95% of respondents who believe food prices have increased over the past year, only 3% attribute these increases to health or environmental regulations. In contrast, nearly two thirds (63%) think that supermarkets and food manufacturers have raised prices beyond what is necessary in order to increase profits.
There is also strong public support for action from both government and industry. Nearly four in five respondents (79%) say the government should do more to make a balanced diet affordable, while 84% believe food companies should take greater responsibility. In addition, 73% of respondents support legislation to regulate levels of sugar and saturated fat in food products, and 70% back similar measures for salt reduction.
Confidence in voluntary industry action appears low, with 79% of respondents indicating they are not confident that food companies will reduce levels of sugar, salt and saturated fat without government intervention.
The polling forms part of a newly launched Citizens’ Charter developed through the Recipe for Change campaign, a coalition initiative supported by organisations including Sustain: The alliance for better food and farming, The Food Foundation, Action on Salt and Sugar, and British Heart Foundation. The Charter outlines six priority actions aimed at improving the UK food system, including increasing the availability of healthier products, improving transparency through clearer labelling, restricting harmful marketing to children, and strengthening community involvement in local food decisions.
The Recipe for Change campaign is calling on the public to support the Citizens’ Charter and add their voices to a collective call for stronger government action to reform the food system.
Add your name to the charter here
Read the Citizens Charter here
Katharine Jenner, Executive Director, Obesity Health Alliance said:
At a time when families are struggling with expensive shopping baskets, the public can see exactly where the pressure is coming from – almost two thirds believe food companies have increased prices beyond what is necessary to protect profits, while only 3% think regulation is to blame for higher food prices.
With the 10 Year Health Plan and the forthcoming food strategy, government has a major opportunity to supercharge its moonshot to end the obesity epidemic by creating a food system that makes healthier choices easier, more affordable and more accessible for every family.