Lords Committee examines the roles of marketing and advertising and the influence of industry on dietary trends and food policy

The first session will start at 10.00am and both sessions will be available to watch live or on demand at Parliament TV or attend in person in Committee Room 4, Palace of Westminster.

Giving evidence will be:

10.00am

• Prof Emma Boyland, Chair of Food Marketing and Child Health, University of Liverpool;
• Prof Christina Vogel, Professor in Food Policy, City University; and
• Sir John Hegarty, founder, Bartle Bogle Hegarty.

11.15am

• Prof Barry Smith, Professor of Philosophy and Director, Institute of Philosophy, University of London;
• Prof Franco Sassi, Professor of International Health Policy and Economics, Imperial College London; and
• Dr Rob Ralston, Lecturer in Public Policy, University of Edinburgh.

Questions will include:

• What is the influence of the food industry on dietary trends, and how is this influence exercised?
• In what ways does food marketing, including advertising, influence dietary trends?
• What is the Government’s current approach to regulating food advertising and promotions, and how effective is it?
• In what ways does the food industry encourage unhealthy eating habits and over-consumption, and what role does product development play in this?
• How effective are current voluntary and mandatory measures in managing the influence of the food industry on dietary trends? Is there a case for further legislative measures?
• In what ways does the food industry influence the process of developing policy on diet and obesity?
• What are likely to be the most effective strategies for managing the influence of the food industry on diet and food policy in the future, and can any lessons be drawn from the regulation of other industries (such as tobacco and alcohol)? What evidence supports your proposals?