Last week the House of Lords Food, Diet and Obesity Committee published a report:  "Recipe for health: A plan to fix our broken food system".

This report sets out a plan to improve the food system so we can all eat better diets and therefore live healthier lives. It offers a critical roadmap for addressing the UK's escalating obesity crisis. And it couldn’t come at a more critical moment...

With nearly two-thirds of adults and a third of children classified as overweight or obese, this report highlights the urgent need for a transformative approach to our food system. 

This is an approach that champions health, sustainability, and social equity. The report is strongly-worded and bold,  a rallying cry for change, and presents a comprehensive vision for transforming the UK's food landscape.

“Obesity and its consequences constitute a public health emergency that represents a ticking time bomb for the nation’s health, well-being and finances”.

Please see below for a summary, starting with a quick explanation of the crisis we face…

Understanding the Crisis

Our food system is broken. The statistics are staggering. England has one of the highest rates of obesity among high-income nations. Two-thirds of adults are living with overweight or obesity, and 29% are living with obesity. More than 20% of children start primary school with overweight or obesity, rising to 36.6% by the time they leave.

Obesity not only impacts individual health but also places immense strain on the National Health Service. This strain leads to increased healthcare costs and lost productivity. Together, these factors create a heavy burden on the economy. And so we have a societal crisis.

A Holistic Approach to Change

What stands out in the report is the much-needed emphasis on a holistic approach. The food system—often treated in isolation—intersects deeply with public health, agriculture, and environmental sustainability. Yet, these connections are frequently overlooked when it comes to policy-making.The committee argues for a unified strategy that brings together government departments, health organizations, local authorities, and the food industry. By working collaboratively, we can create a food environment that not only supports healthy choices but also encourages sustainable practices.

The Food Industry Bears A Huge Responsibility

The market is dominated by a number of large multinationals. These companies are incentivised to produce and sell high margin unhealthy products.

Research projects and government policies are often influenced by the huge food manufacturers who dominate the market place. The report calls for a stop to this by denying food businesses (and industry associations that represent them e.g. Sugar ) with a large proportion of sales from less healthy products from discussions on the formation of policy.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

The focus should shift from merely addressing health issues to proactively preventing them. As profits of Big Food increase from sales of unhealthy food products, thus contributing to the problem, so the pharmaceutical companies gain huge profits by selling a weight loss drug to solve the problem.  All at the taxpayer’s expense. A smarter approach is to regulate the food industry in the public good to prevent ill health before it happens. he committee calls for a “health in all policies” approach, ensuring that every food-related decision prioritises public health.

Between 1922 and 2020 successive governments proposed nearly 700 wide-ranging policies to tackle obesity in England. Yet obesity rates have continued to rise. At the heart of this failure is a misplaced focus on individual responsibility and misguided fears of the nanny state. The report advises that there must be a comprehensive, cross-Government food strategy. One with expanded measures to regulate including the following: a total ban on unhealthy food advertising, new taxes on unhealthy food and mandatory targets for healthier sales.

Empowering Public Health Initiatives

To tackle the growing obesity epidemic, the report proposes bold public health initiatives. Education is key—empowering people, especially children, to understand nutrition and make healthier choices. Clearer food labeling is essential, giving consumers the tools they need to navigate their options wisely.

Moreover, the report advocates for government-led campaigns to champion healthy eating. By effectively communicating the benefits of nutritious food, we can change societal norms around eating and encourage healthier habits across the board.

As you may guess, this aspect is particularly close to CRuNCH's heart. We were particularly interested in P.127/8 which talks about improving the curriculum at key stage 3. We strongly believe that this is a crucial stage for children and their relationship with food. It’s when they start making their own food choices and become more independent generally.

Making Healthy Food Accessible

One of the most significant barriers to healthier eating is accessibility. For many, nutritious food options are simply out of reach—both financially and geographically. The committee emphasises the need for initiatives that make healthy foods affordable and accessible, particularly in under served communities. This could mean subsidies for fresh produce or support for local food systems that provide residents with healthy options.

Addressing food deserts, that is, areas lacking access to nutritious food, is crucial. Investing in community resources and local food initiatives can help ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, has the chance to make healthier choices.

Embracing Sustainability

Sustainability is a key theme woven throughout the report. The current food system contributes to significant environmental challenges, including greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss. The committee calls for integrating sustainability into food production practices—encouraging methods that protect our planet while promoting health.

Promoting plant-based diets and regenerative agriculture is part of this strategy. Prioritising sustainability in our food choices, will help us work toward a healthier population and a healthier planet.

Conclusion – a food system that nurtures our health and our planet? We hope so!

The “Recipe for Health” report is more than just a document; it’s a powerful call to action. It lays out a clear, actionable framework for transforming the UK’s food system into one that prioritizes health, equity, and sustainability.

The report suggests a comprehensive solution that tackles the root causes of obesity and poor diet. This includes proper collaboration, grass roots education, making food accessibility, mandatory regulation, and sustainability.

At CRuNCH believe we can make a difference. 

One meal at a time…