Government’s obesity strategy is in chaos as figures show it has missed calorie reduction targets

• Government has urged restaurants and supermarkets to cut calories from food
• But an official review found ‘generally little progress has been achieved’ 

Efforts to tackle the nation’s obesity crisis are in chaos as firms have defied ministers and crammed more calories into food, an official report reveals today.

The government has been urging restaurants, supermarkets and manufacturers to cut calories from their products in a bid to trim waistlines.

But a review by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, which sits within the Department of Health and Social Care, found ‘generally little progress has been achieved’.

It warns that many product types have seen calories increase, which is fuelling weight gain and placing an additional burden on the NHS.

Men typically consume between 168 and 304 more calories than needed each day, while the excess for women is between 89 and 171, new analysis suggests.

Boys aged 11 to 15 consume around 117 extra calories a day, while for girls aged 16 to 19 the number is around 66.

The report says the government’s ‘expectations’ of the food industry are ‘clear’ and they have threatened to ‘explore other levers if progress is not made’.

This could include legislation that compels them to reformulate food, or additional taxes, such as an expansion of the sugary drinks levy.

But the document adds: ‘The government is committed to working with businesses to ensure we create the conditions for a healthier nation.’

In 2018, the now disbanded Public Health England called on the food industry to slash calories across the sector by 20 per cent by 2024.

WHAT SHOULD A BALANCED DIET LOOK LIKE? 

Eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. All fresh, frozen, dried and canned fruit and vegetables count.

Base meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally wholegrain

30 grams of fibre a day: This is the same as eating all of the following: 5 portions of fruit and vegetables, 2 whole-wheat cereal biscuits, 2 thick slices of wholemeal bread and large baked potato with the skin on

Have some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soya drinks) choosing lower-fat and lower-sugar options

Eat some beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins (including 2 portions of fish every week, one of which should be oily)

Choose unsaturated oils and spreads and consuming in small amounts

Drink 6-8 cups/glasses of water a day

Adults should have less than 6g of salt and 20g of saturated fat for women or 30g for men a day

Source: NHS Eatwell Guide  

Following consultation, these proposals were watered down with different targets agreed for a limited range of products published in September 2020.

The new review examines progress against these targets and extends the timeframe within which firms are expected to comply to the end of 2025, ‘due to impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic’.

It says the categories chosen ‘contribute substantially to calorie intake in both children and adults and are those where reformulation is possible’.

The categories include ready meals; family meals; breaded and battered products; chips and potato products; and garlic and cheesy bread, which all have a calorie reduction target of 10 per cent.

Crisps and savoury snacks have a target of 5 per cent.

Restaurants and takeaways were asked to cut calories in their main meals by 20 per cent; starters, side dishes and small plates by 20 per cent; and children’s meal deals by 10 per cent.

Pizzas and pastry products were each assigned a target of 20 per cent regardless of whether they were eaten at home or out of home.

Sales, in terms of both volume and total calories, increased in seven of the eight ‘at home’ food categories between 2017 and 2021, the period coved by the review.

The only category that recorded a decrease was ready meals.

Shoppers consumed 25.3 per cent more calories from crisps and savoury snacks in 2021 than 2017, while calories from garlic or cheesy bread were up 21.6 per cent.

For restaurants, cafes and takeaways, there were increases in the number of calories per serving in four of the five categories.

The one category that showed a decrease was pizzas, where there was a reduction of around 4 per cent in calories per serving.

The number of calories in a typical children’s meal bundle fell – but by just six calories, a reduction of 0.9 per cent.

Katharine Jenner, director of the Obesity Health Alliance, which represents charities and medical colleges, said: ‘The levels of food related ill health are going in the wrong direction, with childhood obesity levels going up since the calorie reduction programme was first announced in 2018, instead of coming down.

‘Two in five children are leaving primary school above a healthy weight. And today’s data shows why – the number of calories in our children’s diets is going in the wrong direction too – up, rather than down.

‘Obesity is the second biggest cause of cancer, and contributes to rising rates of type 2 diabetes, tooth decay and many other conditions, yet the food industry could take the pressure off our NHS, by providing healthier options.

‘It’s hard to be anything but disappointed that they are stubbornly refusing to make their products healthier on a voluntary basis.

‘If industry doesn’t change, the government must take the necessary steps to make our food and drink less harmful to our children’s health.’

A spokesperson for trade body the Food and Drink Federation said: ‘Businesses are committed to supporting people to achieve healthier diets and have been investing in healthier product innovation and development for many years.

‘As a result, FDF member products now contribute 13 per cent less calories than they did 8 years ago.

‘It’s hard to see the changes in the data we might expect from this work, as the report published today covers the Covid-19 pandemic, where we know there were big changes to people’s shopping habits- with limited access to eating out, and workplaces and schools being closed.’

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘We are taking firm action to tackle obesity, which costs the NHS around £6.5billion a year, while balancing cost pressures due to increased food prices.’