UK's Unhealthy Food System Costs £268 Billion Annually

A new report highlights the financial and health impacts of diet-related diseases linked to ultra-processed foods.

The Food Farming and Countryside Commission (FFCC) report reveals the staggering cost of unhealthy diets in the UK, totaling £268 billion annually.
These costs include £67.5 billion in healthcare, £14.3 billion in social care, £10.1 billion in welfare, and £116.4 billion in lost productivity.
Ultra-processed foods make up over half of adult diets and nearly two-thirds of adolescent diets in the UK, with consumption expected to rise.
The report suggests enshrining the right to healthy food in law and calls for stricter regulations on the food industry to promote healthier options.
Critics argue the current food system prioritizes profits over health, urging government action to support healthier diets and reduce diet-related illnesses.