Hannah Mitchell, TUKFS Programme Manager
Earlier this month, I attended an engaging parliamentary event in London, hosted by the DIO-Food project (a TUKFS project using additional funding from the UKRI Creating Opportunities, Improving Outcomes strategic theme). The focus was on their work evaluating the high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) legislation, which came into force in England in October 2022. The event brought together a variety of stakeholders to reflect on how large retailers implemented the legislation, its effects on customers and sales, and whether the impact was equitable across different societal groups.
The event was hosted by Kirsty Blackman, Scottish National Party MP for Aberdeen North, and opened with remarks from both Kirsty Blackman and Professor Alex Johnstone, Principal Investigator of the FIO/DIO Food projects.
Key Highlights
Presentation of Findings
Professor Michelle Morris (University of Leeds) delivered an overview of the HFSS legislation, the team’s research and findings. Her presentation highlighted how the legislation influenced retail environments, both in England and beyond, how sales were impacted and whether the effects had been felt equitably across different societal groups. The talk also included business level opportunities and challenges in response to the legislation, and consumer-level perceptions of the legislation, its impacts, and other changes they would like to see.
The talk also included co-produced policy recommendations as a result of the findings:
- Strengthen legislation to mandate against promotion of less healthy foods.
- Ensure healthier foods are more affordable and accessible.
- Open, regularly updated food composition database for HFSS classification of food and drinks.
- Evidence-based public health legislation.
- Co-production with organisations across the food sector, enforcement and academics.
- Legislation must be enforceable which requires sufficient support.
- Align government departments in their approach to food.
- Dedicated support and guidance to facilitate effective implementation of legislation.
Panel Discussion and Q&A
The event concluded with a lively panel discussion featuring Professor Alex Johnstone, Professor Michelle Morris, Dr Alison Fildes (University of Leeds) and Hannah Daley (Institute of Grocery Distribution). The audience was highly engaged, with insightful questions and thoughtful discussions throughout.
The event offered valuable insights into how HFSS legislation is being implemented and its effects on consumer behaviour and retail practices. It was a useful opportunity to hear directly from researchers working at the intersection of food, health, and data, and excellently showcased the breadth of work within the Transforming UK Food Systems programme.
To find out more about this research, read the DIO-Food team’s HFSS Legislation Policy Brief or explore their research papers below.
