It is time to build on the success of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL) for public health. The Recipe for Change campaign’s representation to the Comprehensive Spending Review recommends that HM Treasury reviews the best mechanisms for healthier food and drink production beyond the Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL).

Poor population health driven by unhealthy food is increasingly damaging our economy, reducing our participation in the workforce, and increasing the need for medical attention, social care and welfare support.

In the UK, food manufacturers have made progress in reducing salt and sugar in products like sweetened drinks, breakfast cereals, and yogurts. However, new evidence from the Recipe for Change campaign looking at the sugar and salt content of cakes, biscuits, chocolate and savoury snacks, shows substantial variation in salt and sugar levels between similar products. Many products are missing the voluntary targets, highlighting the opportunity for further reformulation in these categories.

Introducing levers to incentivise production of healthier food and drink, including reformulation, is crucial for improving public health. A new levy could also support economic growth, raise revenues and is backed by a range of public and expert support.

Our recommendation to the Comprehensive Spending Review is:

Issue a joint HM Treasury, Department for Health and Social Care and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs call for evidence on measures to incentivise healthier food and drink production beyond the Soft Drinks Industry Levy, including further financial levers.