This report shows the progress the food industry has made in empowering consumers to make healthier choices.
INTRODUCTION
The role that food and drink companies can play in helping consumers to lead healthy, balanced lives is the subject of much debate. Looking
at the work highlighted in this document, it is clear that Food and Drink Federation (FDF) members are doing a great deal.
This includes:
• using cutting edge processes to reformulate products to increase fibre or to reduce saturated fat or salt;
• investing in new product development to create healthier options;
• promoting those innovative products through responsible communications, adapting their approaches as technology moves at an ever
quickening pace;
• providing clear on-pack and online information to encourage healthy eating; and
• offering practical help and encouragement to their staff and the wider communities they work within to lead healthier lives.
This builds on the many strengths of what is the UK’s biggest manufacturing sector. Our products enjoy a worldclass reputation for safety, quality and value. Many of our brands are amongst the UK’s most trusted and valued, and are increasingly sought by consumers across the globe. We continue to invest heavily in UK science, technology and research and development to deliver new products, improve our existing ones and to empower consumers to make informed decisions about their own diet and lifestyle.
While we can demonstrate good progress, we are not complacent. As Chair of the FDF Health and Wellbeing Steering Group, I am clear that there is
more to do, particularly by working in partnership with others. For example, we can spur further innovation by working better with research funding
bodies to deliver relevant research and knowledge transfer.
Public health is everybody’s business. The Public Health Responsibility Deal in England recognises this and we will continue to support it. The constructive involvement of more players from the industry and beyond will add weight and consistency to the work already completed. This means that governments north and south of the border need to broaden engagement with initiatives such as the Responsibility Deal and the Obesity Action Plan before deepening the commitments of those who regularly step up to the plate. Regardless, as this document shows, we will continue to innovate and collaborate to drive better public health outcomes and support a successful, sustainable food and drink industry
