Henry Dimbleby’s National Food Strategy has published a second report that has made 14 recommendations including introducing a sugar and salt reformulation tax, extending eligibility of free school meals, expanding the healthy start scheme and investing £1Bn in innovation to create a better food system.

The recommendations are as follows:

1. Escape the junk food cycle and protect the NHS
Recommendation 1: Introduce a Sugar and Salt Reformulation Tax. Use some of the revenue to help get fresh fruit and vegetables to low-income families.
Recommendation 2: Introduce mandatory reporting for large food companies.
Recommendation 3: Launch a new 'Eat and Learn' initiative for schools.

2. Reduce diet-related inequality
Recommendation 4: Extend eligibility for free school meals.
Recommendation 5: Fund the Holiday Activities and Food programme for the next three years.
Recommendation 6: Expand the Healthy Start scheme.
Recommendation 7: Trial a 'Community Eatwell' Programme, supporting those on low incomes to improve their diets.

3. Make the best use of our land
Recommendation 8: Guarantee the budget for agricultural payments until at least 2029 to help farmers transition to more sustainable land use.
Recommendation 9: Create a Rural Land Use Framework based on the three compartment model.
Recommendation 10: Define minimum standards for trade, and a mechanism for protecting them.

4. Create a long-term shift in our food culture
Recommendation 11: Invest £1bn in innovation to create a better food system.
Recommendation 12: Create a National Food System Data programme.
Recommendation 13: Strengthen Government procurement rules to ensure that taxpayer money is spent on healthy and sustainable food.
Recommendation 14: Set clear targets and bring in legislation for long-term change.

Jamie Oliver said, “This is no time for half-hearted measures. If both government and businesses are willing to take bold action and prioritise the public’s health, then we have an incredible opportunity to create a much fairer and more sustainable food system for all families. Of course it’s right every child should have access to healthy and affordable food, no matter where they live – and last year has been a stark reminder that nutritious meals are vital in keeping us all healthy and resilient.”

Professor Susan Jebb, Chair of the Food Standards Agency, said, “The National Food Strategy report deserves to be widely read and deeply considered by everyone with responsibilities for any part of our food system. Its compelling narrative focuses attention on the urgent challenges facing the food system and how we must work together, across government and industry, to create a system which is good for the health of people and the planet.

'I welcome the report, including its recommendations to expand the role of the Food Standards Agency (FSA). The FSA is an independent regulator, trusted to make sure food is safe and is what it says it is. Our work is led by science and evidence, but places the interests of consumers at the heart of everything we do. We look forward to discussing the report with government and other partners and collaborating with them to create a resilient, healthier and more sustainable food system.”

Thomasina Miers, chef and co-founder of Wahaca, said of the report, “An incredibly important body of work with some real solutions to some of the thorniest questions around public health and climate change (and how they are inextricably linked). Part 2 of the National Food Strategy at last gives us a chance to transform both for the better and be leaders in this field, through a thorough overhaul of how we approach food and farming.”

(source: https://www.nationalfoodstrategy.org/)