Call for government to bring ‘Good Food Bill’ to transform UK food system

More than 100 major UK supermarkets, food businesses, investors, NGOs and academics have put their names to a joint statement calling for the government to introduce a new ‘Good Food Bill’ to transform the country’s food system and ensure food and nutrition security for current and future generations.

The UK’s food supply is said to be facing “unprecedented challenges” with warnings that biodiversity loss, the collapse of ecosystems, and extreme weather could lead to food shortages and significantly higher prices. This follows the cost-of-living crisis and the highest food price inflation for 40 years, triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the aftermath of the pandemic.

The ‘Good Food Bill’ would be a piece of legislation for the UK Government to set out a plan to transform the food system. It would enshrine in law policies, targets and ambitions to improve public health, reduce inequalities, protect the environment and improve UK resilience, while safeguarding progress from short-term political cycles.

Businesses including Marks & Spencer, Danone, Co-op, Bidfood, The Compleat Food Group and caterers Elior and Sodexo are standing alongside NGOs including The Food Foundation, Sustain, Green Alliance, Barnardo’s and WWF, as well as health organisations like the British Medical Association, British Heart Foundation and the British Dental Association with a shared call for the ‘Good Food Bill’.

The call comes amid public demand for stronger government action. The Food Foundation has released YouGov data showing 69% of people believe the government should be doing more to ensure everyone can afford and access healthy food, while 65% support a ‘Food Bill’ that would introduce formal duties and targets on public bodies.

Anna Taylor, Executive Director of The Food Foundation, said: “A Good Food Bill would provide the durable policy foundation needed to transform the food system for generations to come.

“Governments can achieve important wins within a single term, but only legislation can lock in change, providing certainty and protecting progress from shifting political priorities.

“With food strategies and legislation already in place across the devolved nations, this is a timely opportunity for Westminster to introduce legislation that benefits the whole UK.

“We are calling on the Government to seize this moment, commit to new primary legislation and lead the change needed to build a food system fit for the future.”

Andrew Clappen, Director of Food Technology at M&S Food, added: “To ensure national food security, we need a strong cross-Government commitment which is supported by industry to increase domestic food supply.

“We support this call for a Good Food Bill, to refocus our national approach to build sustainable supply chains, increase investment in climate resilience and support farmers and growers to put nutritious food on our plates.”

Meanwhile, David Moore, ESG Director at The Compleat Food Group, said, “Supporting the Good Food Bill reflects our belief that long-term, systemic change is urgently needed to build a healthier, fairer and more resilient food system.

“We are proud signatories because this legislation would provide business, farmers and communities the framework to drive progress and ensure nutritious, affordable food is accessible to every household.”