The Policy Liaison Group on Ultra-Processed Food is a Westminster-based forum acting as a vehicle for change bringing together subject matter experts from the world of health, food and science, special interest groups and parliamentarians creating the space necessary to be a catalyst for policy reform and regulation of Ultra-Processed Food (UPF)
UPF is the food that takes up over half the average UK diet, with the largest consumption by children. It is food that is linked to heart, kidney and liver disease, cancer, depression and obesity. It is an underlying reason for many poor health outcomes. It is food that has been processed so much that it has little health value.
Our Mission
To support our stakeholders who wish to see policy reform and regulation of UPF. For the public to understand what UPF is, its effects on their health outcome and significant contribution to childhood obesity.
Our Vision
To build consensus with a diverse range of stakeholders to nurture a policy environment that establishes policy reform and regulation of UPF. To support stakeholders in the drive for mandatory warning labels on all UPF products. To highlight the conflict the role of the food industry has in policy making and eradicate this conflict.
Our Chair
Suzanne Webb OBE, a former Government Minister, Parliamentarian and Parliamentary Private Secretary in Number 10, has been championing policy reform for Ultra-Processed Food since 2019. She has spoken in Parliament and appeared on Radio 4 and national television talking about the negative impact ultra-processed food has on health outcomes and the role the food industry plays in this.
Suzanne says “UPF is the food that takes up over half the average UK diet, with the largest consumption by children. It is food that is linked to heart, kidney and liver disease, cancer, depression and obesity. It is an underlying reason for many poor health outcomes. It is food that has been processed so much that it has little health value.
Our food supply chains endorse and promote products that are linked to serious health outcomes, marketing products for which the motivation is profit over health.
The marketing and branding of ultra-processed food is relentless. We need to see the private sector lead by example, with manufacturers stepping up, taking responsibility and stopping packaging and promotional techniques that lure children towards food that has no nutritional value.
We cannot afford to delay. The obesity figures speak for themselves; the cost to the NHS speaks for itself.
The obesity crisis is truly shocking and cannot be ignored.”
The chair is supported by the Group’s Advisory Board, guiding the PLG’s policy agenda and providing expert insight and opinion to advise parliamentarians on how policy can be tailored to combat opposition from current food suppliers.
