Josey C.’s Post

This is an important article about the desperate need for preventative health policies where rising obesity, diabetes, cancer and other health problems are concerned, and if the NHS is to get a grip on the numbers of patients and related costs it is increasingly dealing with. I was going to say it’s a well-timed article too, but as the manifestos were all cobbled together some time ago now, I guess not - still, I hope the future MPs and Ministers read it and start to realise that anti-nanny state approach to policy development was a luxury we no longer have. The UK population’s physical health impacts our economy, taxes, services and general mental health to such a degree now that we need to actively support everyone to be healthier - if we’re to drive growth and support the state of our public services. We can’t pretend that industry regulation or taxes is too hard to do, or strays too far into the realm of individual choice anymore. We’re beyond that. The NHS safety net is ripped, hole-ridden, frayed, weak, stretched. It needs to be about prevention as well as cure. So campaigning organisations need to double their efforts over the next few years and get the issue of prevention back on the table, debated and then enacted!

The latest annual report from England’s Chief Medical Officer, Health in Cities, highlights the urgent need to address how urban food environments flood children with unhealthy options. The report calls for levies on unhealthy foods to drive reformulation, building on the success of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL), which cut sugar intake by 34.3%. As discussions about expanding these levies grow, it’s vital that revenue from such levies is equitably shared to tackle health challenges across the UK, and that devolved administrations like the Scottish Government make use of devolved powers they have to implement similar measures in their jurisdictions.  

“The damage the food industry is doing to children’s health is the biggest threat to our nation’s wellbeing and future productivity and this needs to be reined in – urgently.” Spot on Anna Taylor, The Food Foundation 👏 In a new piece for The Guardian, Denis Campbell reports on new calls from health and children’s groups for government to tax unhealthy foods to tackle obesity in the UK 👉 https://lnkd.in/eQnTYVqM It also highlights new YouGov polling that shows 74% of the public think food firms are not honest about the health impact of their products. This echoes our findings in #TheFoodConversation. Citizens see food businesses as clear winners in the system. They feel that the prevalence of unhealthy, ultra-processed food has crept up on them. And they support strong regulation, like taxes, to prioritise the health of people and planet over private profit. More on what citizens want from food 👉 https://lnkd.in/eEdnBJdT

The role of the state is an important element of any discussion about improving public health. Too often the voices of commercial interests or ideologues undermine the legitimacy of government intervention and delay or block positive change. New polling from The Health Foundation shows there is more support than opposition for a range of ambitious public health policies. For instance, 59% of the public support introducing a tax on organisations that produce foods high in sugar or salt, with some of the revenue being used to fund fresh fruit and vegetables for low-income families. People value the wellbeing of themselves, their family and their community and understandably want a government that shares this perspective and acts on it. Keep the public in public health. https://lnkd.in/e_MAUGWK

We must fix the food system to create a healthy nation that prevents skyrocketing healthcare costs and fosters a thriving society.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Over a decade ago, at the World Economic Forum, I asked a room full of global health leaders a simple but pivotal question: Why are we focusing on treating chronic disease rather than addressing the root causes driving it? Their silence spoke volumes. Today, that question is more relevant than ever. Now, as I continue this fight on a larger stage, including my testimony before Congress last month, we are tackling the same issue: the way our broken food system is at the heart of our health crisis, harming not just our bodies but also our environment, economy, and future. The so-called "cheap" food that is fueling chronic disease and poor health outcomes isn’t cheap at all. It’s costing us lives, livelihoods, and billions of dollars. Chronic disease is just one symptom of a much bigger problem—a system that fails to prioritize the health of our people and planet. This has to change, and it starts with holding our leaders accountable. Together, we can demand the changes needed to fix this broken system for good.

Absolutely agree—our food system is at the heart of the health crisis, and we must shift the focus from treating symptoms to addressing root causes. At EAT INTACT, we are committed to being part of the solution by promoting whole-food products and supplements that contain only real, whole-food ingredients. The so-called 'cheap' food may be convenient, but its long-term cost to our health and the environment is staggering. We believe that true health starts with simplicity—keeping food intact, as nature intended. It's time to demand change and hold our leaders accountable for a healthier future for both people and the planet. #EATINTACT #wholefood #wholefoodsupplement

We’re proud to have joined Sustain, The Food Foundation, Obesity Health Alliance and other leading organisations of the #RecipeForChange campaign in an open letter to the Chancellor and Health Secretary calling on the Government to go ‘further and faster’ to build a healthier food industry, as new polling reveals low public trust in companies. The new polling shows 74% of British adults believe that companies are NOT HONEST about the health impacts of their food. Our joint letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves & Health Secretary Wes Streeting, calls on Government to be much more ambitious in building a healthier food industry #RecipeForChange #publichealth #childhealth #healthyfood #foodindustry #reformulation #foodpolicy #obesity #healthmission #salt #sugar #reformulation #foodindustry Read the full letter here: https://lnkd.in/ehJFgfDh

Beyond issues re gifts from health harming industries, there is a need for a comprehensive framework to guide all government interactions with such industries. Otherwise these industries insert themselves into policy making at the highest level. https://lnkd.in/ejyrarm2 #CDoH

We’re proud to have joined Sustain, The Food Foundation, Obesity Health Alliance and other leading organisations of the #RecipeForChange campaign in an open letter to the Chancellor and Health Secretary calling on the Government to go ‘further and faster’ to build a healthier food industry, as new polling reveals low public trust in companies. The new polling shows 74% of British adults believe that companies are NOT HONEST about the health impacts of their food. Our joint letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves & Health Secretary Wes Streeting, calls on Government to be much more ambitious in building a healthier food industry #RecipeForChange #publichealth #childhealth #healthyfood #foodindustry #reformulation #foodpolicy #obesity #healthmission #salt #sugar #reformulation #foodindustry Read the full letter here: https://lnkd.in/ehJFgfDh

Rebalancing what is 'healthy' and 'unhealthy' food. There's been some interesting push back from brands recently on what foods the government/traffic light labelling deems to be unhealthy. Whitworths Ltd challenge on dried fruit, nuts and seeds to be reclassified as a health food and nuts to form part of people's daily fruit and veg intake is interesting. (see Grocer article below) This reminds me of the age old issue of the health benefits of cheese. The cheesegeek's ad campaign promoting artisan cheese were famously blocked by Transport for London last year as it deemed cheese to be high in fat, and therefore unhealthy. 🙄 Cheese, particualrly artisan cheese, is incredibly nutritious and the fermented nature of cheese makes a postive impact on our health. I liked Edward Hancock's LinkedIn post about this imbalance last week. As an industry, are we focusing on the wrong things? Surely we should be looking at the harm that comes from eating too much Ultra Processed Foods? Not demonising nuts, seeds, dried fruits and cheese! Let's do better. https://lnkd.in/eTYxX8Qs