In an open letter to the Health and Social Care Secretary, Tesco – along with Cancer Research UK, British Heart Foundation and Diabetes UK – said that reporting based on agreed and consistent health metrics was necessary in order to “improve the health of the nation”.
The letter cited statistics which estimate that obesity costs the NHS around £6.5 billion a year, while impacting millions on people across the UK.
It added that as food businesses operate at the “heart of communities” they have an important role to play in creating, promoting and providing healthy food.
However, without consistent reporting, Tesco and its charity partners argued, progress in improving health is difficult to assess.
Commenting on the letter, Tesco group CEO Ken Murphy said it was important that the government takes the “important step” of mandating healthier food sales reporting.
“There are more people living with obesity in the UK than ever before,” Murphy commented.
“Tesco, along with the food industry, has a critical part to play in supporting preventive health measures, through giving access to affordable, healthier, quality food. Through our partnership with Diabetes UK, Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation, we have shown that collaboration can drive meaningful change. But to truly support public health, we need consistent, transparent reporting across the industry.”
British Heart Foundation chief executive, Dr Charmaine Griffiths, added that major supermarkets have a “key role” to play in improving health throughout society.
“There is no doubt that mandatory reporting on healthier food sales will drive improvements across the food industry,” Dr Griffiths said.
“We urge governments across the UK to adopt this measure as soon as possible. Doing so would mark a major step forward towards a world in which people’s hearts are healthier, for longer.”
Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, and Colette Marshall, chief executive at Diabetes UK, echoed these thoughts.
“Being overweight or obese is the second biggest cause of cancer in the UK, and is linked with 13 different types,” Mitchell said.
“As well as fully implementing legislation to restrict the advertising and price promotion of unhealthy food and drink, the UK Government must go further by introducing mandatory reporting on healthy food sales. These steps will ensure that everyone can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.”
Marshall added: “With the numbers of people living with type 2 diabetes rising in the UK, and millions more at high risk of developing it, bold action is needed to reverse this alarming trend.”
The call comes just days after the government postponed the rollout of bans on TV and online advert for products high in fat, salt and sugar until next year. The decision was taken after concerns about legal loopholes were raised.
