The cost of healthy eating in the UK has surged, significantly outpacing price increases for less nutritious food, according to the latest findings from the Food Foundation’s annual Broken Plate report. The report, which assesses the affordability and accessibility of healthy diets, reveals that healthier options—lower in fat, salt, and sugar—now cost more than double per calorie compared to their less healthy counterparts.
This growing disparity has intensified over the past two years, making it increasingly difficult for low-income families to maintain a balanced diet. The report underscores the financial strain of adhering to government dietary guidelines, especially for the most deprived 20 per cent of the population. For these households, achieving a healthy diet would require a staggering 45 per cent of their disposable income. For families with children in the same income bracket, this figure rises to an overwhelming 70 per cent.
While this represents a slight improvement from the peak of the cost-of-living crisis in 2021-22, when the figure reached 50 per cent, the financial burden remains alarmingly high. The report highlights the urgent need for policy interventions to address the widening gap in food affordability.
Key Findings from the Broken Plate Report
| Category | Cost per 1,000kcal | Comparison |
|—————————–|————————|—————————————–|
| Fruit and Vegetables | £11.79 | Most expensive category |
| Food High in Fat/Sugar | £5.82 | Least expensive category |
The table above illustrates the stark contrast in costs between healthier and less healthy food options.Fruit and vegetables, essential components of a balanced diet, remain the most expensive category by a meaningful margin.The broken Plate report also emphasizes the broader implications of this affordability crisis. “It is a complete injustice that healthier food is becoming increasingly out of reach for those who need it most,” commented the author of the National Food Strategy Independent review.
As the UK grapples with rising food prices and economic challenges, the findings of the broken plate report serve as a critical call to action. Addressing the affordability of healthy eating is not just a matter of public health but also of social equity.
For more insights into the report and its implications,visit the Action on Sugar website, which has collaborated with the Food Foundation on this vital research.
UK’s Food System Fails Vulnerable Children: Broken Plate Report Reveals Stark Inequalities
The UK’s food system is failing to provide basic nutrition to large segments of the population, particularly children in deprived areas, according to the latest Broken Plate report by the Food Foundation. The findings reveal a stark imbalance in access to healthy food, with vulnerable children bearing the brunt of the consequences.
The Growing divide in Nutrition and Health
The report highlights alarming disparities in health outcomes linked to food insecurity. Children in their final year of primary school in the most deprived areas are more than twice as likely to experience tooth decay in their adult teeth (23 per cent) compared to those in the least deprived areas (10 per cent). Similarly, children in the most deprived fifth of the population are nearly twice as likely to be living with obesity by their first year of school.
These inequalities extend beyond childhood. Deprived groups are significantly more likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes, with those in the most deprived fifth almost three times more likely to undergo a lower-limb amputation in 2022 than their wealthier counterparts.
The Role of Supermarkets and Advertising
The report also sheds light on the systemic issues driving these disparities. Over a third (37 per cent) of supermarket promotions on food and non-alcoholic drinks are for unhealthy items, while only 2 per cent of advertising spending is allocated to fruit and vegetables. Confectionery, snacks, desserts, and soft drinks account for 36 per cent of food and soft drink advertising spending, further skewing consumer choices toward less healthy options.
Access to affordable, nutritious food is another critical issue. Fast-food outlets make up 26 per cent of all food retailers in England, rising to almost one in three in the most deprived areas. This concentration of unhealthy food options exacerbates the challenges faced by low-income families.
Calls for Systemic Change
Anna Taylor, executive director of the Food Foundation, emphasized the urgent need for reform. “The Broken Plate report sadly shows that our food system is failing to provide large swathes of the population with the basic nutrition needed for them to stay healthy and thrive,” she said. “there is a tragic imbalance in the UK between the food that is marketed,available and affordable,and foods that are healthy and lasting.”
Taylor also highlighted the broader implications of poor nutrition,including its impact on children’s ability to concentrate in school and their long-term mental health. She called on the government to use its upcoming National Food Strategy as an opportunity to address these inequalities through cross-departmental collaboration.
Henry Dimbleby,former government food tsar and author of the last National Food Strategy,echoed these sentiments.“This report couldn’t come at a more critical moment. As the government rolls out its new food strategy, addressing the incentives that drive the sale and aggressive marketing of unhealthy foods must be a top priority,” he said.
A Vision for a Healthier Future
Professor Susan Jebb, chairwoman of the Food Standards Agency, welcomed the report’s findings and stressed the need for systemic change. “We need to find ways to deliver safe, healthy, sustainable food as the default across the food system. If we can reshape the food surroundings, I feel confident we can improve people’s experience so that everyone – whatever their circumstances – can get the physical and mental nourishment that comes from good food,” she said.
Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs Daniel Zeichner acknowledged the report’s importance, stating, “the Food Foundation’s broken Plate report highlights important issues with the UK food system that must be addressed.”
Key Findings at a Glance
| Issue | Most Deprived Areas | Least Deprived Areas |
|————————————|————————-|————————–|
| Tooth decay in primary school children | 23% | 10% |
| Obesity in first year of school | Nearly twice as likely | Less likely |
| Lower-limb amputations (2022) | Almost three times more likely | Less likely |
| Unhealthy food promotions | 37% of promotions | N/A |
| Advertising on unhealthy items | 36% of spending | 2% on fruit and vegetables|
A Call to Action
The Broken Plate report underscores the urgent need for a thorough overhaul of the UK’s food system.By addressing the root causes of food inequality, the government can ensure that all children, regardless of their socioeconomic background, have access to the nutrition they need to thrive.
As the government develops its National Food Strategy, stakeholders are calling for bold action to create a healthier, more equitable food environment.The time to act is now—before the human and economic toll becomes insurmountable.The UK government has announced a groundbreaking initiative to address the pressing challenges within the nation’s food system. With unhealthy diets contributing to rising obesity levels, the government is taking decisive action to ensure a sustainable, secure, and nourishing food system for all.
“That is why we will introduce a cross-Government food strategy to ensure our food system can continue to feed the nation, realize its potential for economic growth, protect the planet, and nourish individuals,” stated a government spokesperson. This strategy aims to create a cohesive framework that addresses the interconnected issues of food security, environmental sustainability, and public health.
The initiative is not a solo effort. the government is actively collaborating with experts across the food sector to harness their knowledge and drive meaningful change. “We cannot do this alone,which is why we are working with those across the food sector,utilising their expertise,to transform the industry for good,” the spokesperson added.
This cross-government approach builds on previous efforts, such as the UK’s first Cross Government Food Research Strategy, which laid the groundwork for coordinated research and innovation in the food sector. The new strategy aims to further these goals by integrating insights from various government departments and external stakeholders.
To better understand the scope of this initiative, here’s a summary of its key objectives:
| Objective | Description |
|——————————|———————————————————————————|
| Feed the Nation | Ensure a reliable and accessible food supply for all citizens. |
| Economic Growth | Unlock the food sector’s potential to drive economic progress. |
| Environmental Protection | Promote sustainable practices to safeguard the planet. |
| Public Health | Address unhealthy diets and reduce obesity levels through better nutrition.|
This strategy represents a significant step forward in addressing the complex challenges facing the UK’s food system. By fostering collaboration and leveraging expertise, the government aims to create a resilient and sustainable food system that benefits everyone.
For more insights into global food security strategies, explore the