Helping the country to lead healthier lifestyles is a critical part of the puzzle in relieving pressure on the NHS and getting more people back to work, a much needed boost to productivity. But we can’t continue to tax and regulate the food and drink sector in the hope that this alone will improve the nation’s health. We need a progressive approach that changes behaviours so the healthy choice becomes the easy choice, and the natural choice.

The latest National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) shows that most Brits are not meeting dietary recommendations. Adults average only three portions of fruit and vegetables a day, while 82% exceed recommended limits for saturated fat. Food inequality is rising too, with higher-income families finding it easier to meet dietary goals.

Government recognises the impact of food quality on health. The NHS 10-year plan includes measures for supermarkets and manufacturers to help tackle obesity and poor nutrition. I welcome this, but it doesn’t go far enough.

As Chair of the Food and Drink APPG, I see first-hand that industry is moving in the right direction. Many manufacturers support mandatory reporting of healthy food sales and have invested hundreds of millions reformulating products to reduce fat, salt, and sugar while boosting nutritional content.

New data from the Food and Drink Federation shows that in the past year alone, UK manufacturers invested £180 million in R&D to create healthier products. Members who produce a quarter of all food and drink sold in the UK have already cut a third of sugar and salt, and reduced calories by a quarter compared with a decade ago.

But tackling obesity will require more. Businesses have made real progress, yet they need government to focus on collaboration, not just compliance.

The central question now is how do we rewire the nation’s relationship with food so that the healthy option is the natural choice? Behavioural change is never easy. It is simpler to impose another levy or shift nutrient targets, but real change needs courage, investment, and vision.

I believe a bold public health campaign is now essential. One that helps people recognise healthier options whether in supermarkets, cafés, or restaurants. Messaging should be positive, nudging people towards good choices, not negative warnings about the foods many of us enjoy in moderation.

Many will remember Change4Life, launched in 2007 by Gordon Brown. It was ahead of its time, embedding terms like “five a day” into everyday language and reshaping how families thought about nutrition. With modest investment, it delivered measurable impact between 2007 and 2010. Sadly, much of that progress was lost when austerity cut funding.

Fifteen years later, we have a chance to rebuild on that foundation. We should not fall back on restricting the food and drink market further. Instead, we can invest in public health campaigning that empowers people to make balanced, informed choices.

With a new Food Strategy underway, there is a clear opportunity. By working with those who produce and sell our food, we can deliver meaningful, realistic, and lasting solutions. The aim must be a food system that is healthier, more resilient, and more sustainable. One that benefits everyone, regardless of income.

The stakes are high. Obesity and poor diet are among the greatest health challenges of our time, driving up NHS costs and holding back productivity. We cannot afford to rely solely on regulation and taxation. A smarter, partnership-based approach that builds on proven public health campaigns offers a way forward.

Our food industry has shown it is ready to play its part. It is now up to government to provide leadership and support. Together, we can create a system where healthy eating is woven into everyday life, delivering better health, stronger families, and a more productive nation.

Mike Reader MP

Member of Parliament for Northampton South
Chair of the Food and Drink APPG