Health and nutrition policy | TableDebates

Promoting sustainability in food consumption

Promoting sustainable food consumption in Germany

The Scientific Advisory Board on Agricultural Policy, Food and Consumer Health Protection to the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture has just released an English version of a report on promoting more sustainable food consumption. The report, originally published in 2020 in German, defines policies that integrate consideration of four areas: human health, social aspects, the environment (including climate) and animal welfare. It focuses on designing food environments to support consumers in choosing healthy, sustainable diets.

Shaping the debate

Corporate lobbying and UK regulation of food marketing

This discussion paper from the UK’s Food Research Collaboration discusses meetings that happened between lobbyists and policymakers when the UK government was developing restrictions on promoting foods high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS). It shows that most of the relevant meetings were with media and advertising interests as opposed to directly with food companies. It als notes that some exemptions and loopholes were introduced that made the final legislation less strict than the initial proposals.

collage of historical adverts for protein foods

Primed for power: a short cultural history of protein

The history of protein, from its 'discovery' and naming in 1838, is a story weaving science, nutritional politics, cultural attitudes to food, and much more. An understanding of this history is invaluable if we are to contextualise the current focus on protein that characterises discourses about health and sustainable food systems, and popular beliefs about fitness and nutrition. In this piece, we trace the history of protein from 1838 through to the end of the 'Protein fiasco' in 1974, discovering many echoes of the modern day. Table of contents: Introduction Section 1: The primary substance Section 2: Meat makes meat: the first protein fashion Section 3: Testing the lower limit: the end of the first protein fashion Section 4: 1918-1955: milk, aid and biopolitics Section 5: Protein fiasco Section 6: Epilogue Suggested citation: Blaxter, T., & Garnett, T. (2022). Primed for power: a short cultural history of protein. TABLE, University of Oxford, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Wageningen University and Research. https://doi.org/10.56661/ba271ef5 https://www.doi.org/10.56661/ba271ef5

Creating Better Health for People, the Planet, and Animals: Food Systems Insights for Health Professionals

Food systems insights for health professionals

This report from the Global Alliance for the Future of Food describes ten case studies from across the globe of food initiatives that promote human, animal and ecological health, ranging from Thai government policy on reducing antimicrobial resistance to a land and food-based approach to Indigenous healthcare in Canada and an organic fruit and vegetable distributor in the Netherlands. It is aimed at healthcare and public health professionals.

Why Europe needs a health-oriented food policy

European policy must support healthy food environments

In this position paper, the European Public Health Alliance argues that the European Farm to Fork Strategy should be strengthened to prioritise the health of people, planet and animals - instead of abandoning the strategy in the face of COVID-19 and the Ukraine war, as some have suggested. It calls for impact assessment methodologies to include health risks (such as dietary links to non-communicable diseases); for a “less and better” approach to the consumption of animal foods; and for a comprehensive approach to creating healthy food environments to be adopted, including a food labelling scheme and regulation of the marketing of unhealthy or unsustainable foods.

Image: 16124683, Agriculture bale countryside, Pixabay, Pixabay Licence

News and resources

Reactions to England’s food strategy

The UK government has published its food strategy for England (note that other regions of the UK are not within the scope, since food policy is devolved). Reactions have generally been critical, with many noting that many of the recommendations in the National Food Strategy review led by Henry Dimbleby have not been included. We have rounded up some relevant reactions and resources.

Agricultural policy in the United States

The history of agricultural policy in the United States

This book outlines the history of agricultural policy in the US from its colonial roots to the present, and uses economic concepts to interpret the political and economic consequences. It also discusses shocks such as trade wars and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Image: stokpic, Blackboard chalk board, Pixabay, Pixabay Licence

News and resources

Mandatory calorie labelling in restaurants prompts backlash

Content warning: eating disorders. From April 2022, large food service businesses (including restaurants, cafes and takeaways) in England are required to display calorie information for food intended for immediate consumption. The legislation is part of the government’s strategy to tackle obesity. Critics say the move may make it difficult for people who experience eating disorders to visit restaurants.

Food Standards Agency

Four Food Standards Agency reports on food choice

The UK’s Food Standards Agency has published four reports reviewing the evidence on factors that influence food consumption behaviours. They cover interventions to reduce salt, fat and sugar consumption; public views of and influences on meat and dairy consumption; and the psychologies of food choice.