Healthy eating for all Make healthy eating easier

Price promotions on healthier foods was one tactic people wanted to see

We know that people want to eat more healthily, and the government and the food industry have the power to remove many of the barriers standing in our way.

Since we began campaigning on food issues we've seen some positive changes,  such as the work by many food companies to reduce the salt content of their foods and the adoption of a front-of-pack traffic light labelling scheme. 

Next steps to improve the nation's health

Reduce salt, fat and sugar – Good progress has been made reducing salt content, but more action should be taken to go further and also reduce saturated fat and sugar levels in foods eaten inside and outside the home.

Healthier choices outside the home – Healthier choices should be more widely available outside the home, whether in restaurants, cafes, pubs, fast food outlets – or in train and service stations, theme parks and cinemas.

Offer smaller portion sizes – There should be a wide range of smaller options available, particularly in relation to less healthy snack food products. Arguing that the portion is meant for sharing doesn't work if it is the only choice available.

Promote healthy eating and reduce the cost

Price promotions for healthy foods – Retailers, caterers and manufacturers can encourage more people to make healthier choices by running price promotions on healthier foods.

Product positioning – Many retailers have stopped putting confectionery at checkouts, but further steps should be taken to encourage healthier choices. There have been positive signs such as a Scottish convenience store project to give greater prominence to fruit and vegetables in smaller shops, but this also needs to be done by larger supermarkets and the catering sector.

Ensure health claims can be trusted – Health and nutrition claims legislation must be robustly implemented to avoid consumers continuing to be misled into buying 'healthy' products which are actually high in fat, sugar or salt.

Expand the work that has started in public institutions – Standards must be set for public institutions like hospitals and nurseries, and other key settings that will help to promote healthy messages.

Improve labelling and information

Clearer labelling – Introduce a simple front-of-pack nutrition labelling scheme that will be used by all companies. The combined labelling scheme using GDAs, traffic lights and a 'high' 'medium' or 'low' rating has been shown to work best for consumers. 

Provide nutrition information on food eaten outside the home – We want to see food outlets displaying nutrition information for food eaten outside the home.