Lords Committee explores the role of the food industry in diet and obesity trends

Tomorrow, Thursday 18 April, the House of Lords Food, Diet and Obesity Committee will hear from representatives of and investors in the food industry in a session discussing the role the food industry plays in establishing trends in diet and obesity including marketing strategies and advertising/promotion regulations.

The session will start at 10.00am and will be available to watch live or on demand at Parliament TV or attend in person in Committee Room 2, Palace of Westminster.

Giving evidence will be:

• Charlie Bigham, Founder, Charlie Bigham’s
• Andrew Opie, Director of Food and Sustainability, British Retail Consortium
• Sophie Lawrence, Stewardship and Engagement Lead, Greenbank.

Questions will include:

• To what extent do the investment, food manufacturing and retail sectors drive unhealthy diets and obesity? In what ways do they do this?
  
  
• How should investors, food manufacturers and retailers respond to research associating ultra-processed foods with adverse health outcomes? What are the challenges and opportunities for manufacturers and retailers seeking to develop healthier offers?
  
  
• What role should the investment, food manufacturing and retail sectors play in promoting healthier diets? How can this role be significantly enhanced in the future?
  
  
• How effective are current approaches to the regulation of food marketing (including advertising, promotions and labelling)? What are likely to be the most effective strategies in the future?
  
  
• What is your view on introducing further mandatory food reformulation measures and what would be the fairest way to deliver such measures?
  
  
• What is your view on protecting diet and obesity policymaking from industry influence like policymaking on tobacco?