The nation’s well being is quickly declining, inserting vital strain on the NHS. Round two thirds of the UK inhabitants reside with weight problems or extra weight, and baby weight problems charges are among the many highest in Europe. These points presently price the NHS £6.5 billion yearly – a determine set to soar to £9.7 billion by 2050.
Each the UK and Scottish Authorities have made tackling these points a precedence. In England, the Labour Authorities has launched its 10-12 months Well being Plan: Match for the Future, whereas in Scotland, the SNP has rolled out its personal 10-12 months Inhabitants Well being Framework.
A wave of latest rules focusing on unhealthy foods and drinks merchandise is both in drive or shortly coming into impact. Companies within the foods and drinks sector should keep forward of the legislative developments set out under and adapt their practices to make sure compliance and future-proof their operations.
1. Crackdown on excessive fats, sugar and salt merchandise
We’ve got seen the hospitality sector face more durable restrictions on excessive fats, salt and sugar (HFSS) merchandise already this yr with Labour banning limitless sugary drink refills in eating places, cafés and different hospitality venues throughout England, and Scotland is anticipated to comply with swimsuit in autumn subsequent yr.
From 2026, HFSS merchandise will face a lot more durable restrictions below the Well being and Care Act 2022. The aim is easy: cut back how usually individuals see these merchandise, and in the end, how usually they purchase them.
Merchandise are labeled as HFSS utilizing the Nutrient Profiling Mannequin – if meals scores 4 factors or extra and drinks rating 1 level or above, they’re deemed as a HFSS product. From 5 January 2026, the next grew to become necessary: no TV adverts for HFSS merchandise earlier than the 9pm watershed on broadcast TV and Ofcom-regulated on-demand providers, and a whole ban on paid on-line advertisements.
There will likely be some exemptions for small companies with 250 or fewer staff and sure media platforms comparable to Spotify and different streaming providers, on-line providers linked to Ofcom-regulated radio stations, business-to-business promoting, and on-line media not primarily focused at UK audiences. Particular promotions generally known as out-of-home merchandise, comparable to ‘meal offers’ and ‘dine in for 2’ can nonetheless be marketed, so long as they aren’t on the principle touchdown web page.
2. Product Regulation and Metrology Invoice
However it’s not nearly sugar and salt, product security is getting a shake-up too. The proposed Product Regulation and Metrology Invoice (PRAM) will give the UK Authorities powers to replace, change or amend UK product security laws to be according to EU rules, if deemed appropriate. The goal is to lift security requirements and higher shield shoppers.
Because of PRAM, we would see the UK Authorities introduce rules regarding product effectivity, advertising, measurement accuracy and threat mitigation, as a part of wider product security reforms. Nevertheless, some alcohol enterprise could also be relieved to listen to that the pint measurement, is excluded from the federal government’s scope of powers, which implies the federal government can’t limit its use within the advertising and provide of draught beer, cider or milk in returnable containers.
Regardless of this, foods and drinks companies ought to pay shut consideration as a result of they might be weak to the federal government’s capability to research, implement and impose civil or legal sanctions. It additionally grants the federal government with the ability to nominate inspectors, conduct searches and seizures.
Going ahead, on-line marketplaces will likely be held to a better customary via secondary laws.
3. Product packaging
Moreover, environmental issues have been integrated into the regulatory panorama for the following yr.
Underneath the UK-wide Producer Duty Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Laws 2024 (pER), companies producing greater than 25 tonnes of packaging and with an annual turnover of no less than £1 million are required to report packaging information to the Authorities.
Whereas the reporting obligations aren’t new, pER establishes a clearer chain of accountability and requests companies to contemplate all their actions comparable to branding, packaging, filling, importing, or working a web-based market. Studies should be submitted via an accredited compliance scheme, which manages these obligations on behalf of companies.
Not solely does this maintain companies to account with regards to its packaging, but it surely requires enterprise leaders to have the best reporting in place to precisely take inventory of the quantity of packaging used to promote its merchandise. Moreover, bigger companies may be chargeable for a payment to cowl the prices incurred by native authorities disposing of the waste.
Waiting for 2026
The foods and drinks sector is presently present process a interval of main regulatory change – via late 2025, into 2026 and past.
With governments prioritising public well being, product security and environmental sustainability, enterprise have to act now. Firms ought to totally assessment their practices and implement rigorous processes to make sure compliance, which incorporates reassessing advertising methods, scrutinising provide chains and evaluating packaging to make sure compliance.
Getting forward of those modifications isn’t simply good observe – it may very well be the distinction between thriving and falling behind in 2026.
