Food industry using Big Tobacco lobbying tactics on Government
After a string of repeated U-turns, delays and inaction on the government's obesity policies, a Downing Street insider reveals the extent of the food industry lobbying at the centre of UK politics
The government has refused to reveal letters from the food and drink and advertising industries used to lobby ministers and stop them from implementing obesity policies. The Government has claimed these letters are "confidential".
The exposé in The Times includes quotes from former government officials who describe the aggressive industry lobbying behind the scenes in the run up to the obesity policies being introduced. One of the anonymous sources explains how all staff were bombarded with correspondence from industry lobbyists and how the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport were particularly strongly attacking the proposals that it seemed like they had been "brainwashed".
The sources revealed that the industry lobbyists were using techniques from the 'Big Tobacco' playbook. They employed a range of techniques: a combination of charm such as bribing ministers with free confectionery, as well as stoking fears about job losses despite there being no evidence to back this up.
This news comes after Kellogg's took the UK Government to court last year. In a contentious case, which they lost, they claimed that the Nutrient Profiling Model, which has been successfully used since 2007 to determine which products are unhealthy - was no longer fit for purpose. They argued that Kellogg's product data should be diluted before consideration for their sugar, salt, saturated fat and energy content.
Similarly, the industry aggressively lobbied ahead of introducing the Healthier Food Advertising Policy on the Transport for London network. The University of Bath uncovered "substantial" lobbying via freedom of information requests.
Fran Bernhardt, Commercial Determinants Coordinator said:
It's sickening to think our government representatives are being swayed by vested interests. Industry is flooding us with unhealthy foods and drinks, particularly those of us living in deprived neighbourhoods. They put our health at stake, and the people voted into office to represent us should be doing more to protect us. We have the policies lined up, we have the evidence of impact and now we just need principled, brave politicians who will stand up to industry and champion our health.
Click here to read the article in full from The Times (£).
Published Monday 11 December 2023
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