House of Lords report calls for ‘complete ban’ on junk food advertising

The Times​ reports​​ that a 10-month inquiry by the Lords has recommended measures such as taxes on junk food to ‘fix the broken food system’, rather than relying on weight loss solutions like Ozempic to solve the obesity crisis.

The inquiry, which heard from experts such as former food tsar Henry Dimbleby, further concluded that ‘misguided’ fears of nanny state accusations have prevented successive governments from taking action against the food industry.

It has called for new laws, including strict advertising bans, so that consumers are no longer ‘bombarded’ with adverts for ultra-processed foods.

A pre-watershed ban on junk food advertising across television, first mooted back in 2021​​, as well as a ban on online adverts is expected to come into force next year. 

The House of Lords recommends a ‘total ban’ on unhealthy food advertising by 2029 – making it illegal for celebrities or sports team to promote products like fizzy drinks, crisps, and sweets.

The report further calls for a new law requiring large food companies to reduce the salt, sugar, and calories in their products, saying the ‘food industry must be held to account now for the rise in unhealthy diets and obesity’.

Baroness Walmsley, chairwoman of the committee, said new laws are vital to prevent illness and reduce ‘human misery’.

She said: “Food should be a pleasure and contribute to our health and wellbeing, but it is making too many people ill.

“Over the last 30 years successive governments have failed to reduce obesity rates, despite hundreds of policy initiatives. This failure is largely due to policies that focused on personal choice and responsibility out of misguided fears of the ‘nanny state’.”

As part of its report, the House of Lords also recommends that food businesses that ‘derive more than a proportion of sales (to be defined by the Food Standards Agency) from less healthy products’ should be excluded from any discussions on the formation of policy on food, diet and obesity prevention.

It adds that this should also apply to the industry associations that represent these businesses, which trade body UKHospitality has described as ‘concerning’.

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: “The Committee’s recommendation to exclude, under certain circumstances, food businesses and the trade associations that represent them from discussions about food, diet and obesity policy is concerning.

“It would eliminate a key partner that is, ultimately, responsible for delivering the Committee’s ambition to deliver a better food system.

“Let’s be clear, the hospitality sector shares this ambition and has already made significant progress towards that, and recent work with the Government in areas like the Food Data Transparency Partnership underlines this.

“Whether it’s grabbing lunch on the go or going for a meal out with friends and family, hospitality businesses have made significant progress to ensure there are plenty of healthy options available for consumers, and continue to invest in this area.

“I’m pleased the Government has already engaged with the hospitality sector about its future plans and I would urge it to continue this engagement, recognising the key partner we are to deliver its aims.”