FDF urges mandatory reporting as reformulation accelerates

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is calling for mandatory reporting of healthier food sales to be introduced across the sector, following new data showing that its members have cut salt, sugar and calories from the British grocery market by almost a fifth in just five years.

According to the FDF’s Shaping a Healthier Future report, members’ products now contribute 18% less salt, 19% less sugar and 17% fewer calories to the GB market compared with 2021.

The Government’s Nutrient Profiling Model (NPM) score for these products has also improved by 13%, demonstrating that branded food and drink is becoming materially healthier.

The FDF says this progress reflects “decades of innovation and investment” from manufacturers reformulating well‑loved products and developing new, healthier options. Examples highlighted include Kellogg’s reducing sugar in All‑Bran by 17%, Danone cutting sugar across its Actimel ranges by 9%, and Premier Foods launching Mr Kipling Delicious & Light — its first full cake range meeting government healthier‑eating guidelines.

However, the federation warns that proposed changes to the NPM could undermine this progress by preventing many of these healthier products from being advertised, risking their removal from shelves and reducing the availability of healthier alternatives.

Kate Halliwell, chief scientific officer at the FDF, said manufacturers “are committed to supporting consumers make healthier choices,” adding:

“They’ve invested hundreds of millions of pounds over many years in changing products that shoppers know and love to make them healthier… And this latest data shows that tremendous positive progress continues to be made.”

She urged government to maintain a stable regulatory environment and prioritise mandatory reporting of healthier food sales, arguing that it would create “a transparent way of measuring progress” and incentivise businesses of all sizes to continue innovating.

“The UK is already a world leader in healthier product innovation,” Halliwell said. “Bringing in mandatory reporting on healthier food sales would help to incentivise businesses… and build momentum on supporting healthier diets.”

The FDF also wants the scheme extended to hospitality venues to ensure consistent measurement across the wider food environment.