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A new report published yesterday (17 March 2025) recommends that the UK government extends its sugar tax beyond soft drinks to cover all types of foods.

The report, entitled ‘Regulatory Tools for a Healthy and Sustainable Diet,’ was published by the Transforming UK Food Systems Programme and the University of Reading.

It highlights how the UK’s existing soft drinks levy has reduced sugar content in beverages by 44%, and suggests that a similar approach across all food types could help to tackle obesity and diet-related diseases in the country.

University of Reading’s professor Chris Hilson, lead author of the report, said that extending the sugar tax to all processed foods is “vital”. He commented: “The current levy has successfully cut sugar in soft drinks, but we need to see the same success with products like milkshakes, biscuits, yogurts and breakfast cereals to improve public health. Mandatory measures in the food sector, such as a salt tax, should be considered by MPs.”

The report calls for the introduction of a new salt levy, similar to the sugar tax, which could be applied to a wide range of foods in a bid to combat health problems linked to diets high in salt such as high blood pressure and heart disease.

Authors of the report argue that more stringent regulations for the food sector would support economic goals rather than hinder them, as a healthy environment and workforce are essential for long-term growth.

They believe that the current approach relying on voluntary methods, such as information labels on food packaging, has failed to address serious environmental damage and poor health outcomes at a population-wide scale.

Other key recommendations made in the report include setting sectoral greenhouse gas targets for agriculture, adding dairy and beef farms to environmental permitting schemes, requiring large food businesses to report on their sales of unhealthy products, and making front-of-pack traffic light food labelling mandatory on all products.

“We can't produce food without healthy soils, thriving pollinators and a stable climate, and no economy benefits from a population made sick by poor diet,” continued Hilson. “Stronger regulations on the wider food sector could mean a healthier environment, as well as a healthier population. Setting targets for reducing red and processed meat consumption is one way the government can reduce the UK’s climate impact, while also cutting the risk of cancer.”

Professor Christine Riefa, University of Reading, added: “The report offers a comprehensive menu of regulatory tools to transform the UK's food landscape”.

“Voluntary approaches have not worked, and we are now in a crisis state. Companies and farmers who want to do better are undermined by those who profit from ignoring health and environmental concerns.”

The report comes as the UK government is set to unveil its food strategy and 25-year farming roadmap, expected later in the year.