The Soil Association has accused ultra-processed food (UPF) giants of lobbying the UK government to water down plans aimed at boosting promotions on healthy food.

According to the charity, Freedom of Information (FOI) requests show the Department of Health and Social Care stepped back from proposals that would have encouraged supermarkets to promote more minimally processed foods — including fresh fruit, veg, pulses and wholegrains — after lobbying from major food manufacturers.

The Soil Association claims the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) pushed to remove the focus on healthy food deals, instead promoting the interests of members like Coca-Cola, Nestlé, Unilever and Mondelez.

“This move to block discounts on healthy foods is clearly one which benefits the profits of UPF manufacturers more than the health of their consumers,” said Cathy Cliff, campaigns co-ordinator at the Soil Association.

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Government guidance published in 2023 initially called for supermarkets to favour fresh, unprocessed food in store layouts and promotions. But that guidance was later rewritten — and now includes ultra-processed products such as energy drinks, cereal bars, crisps, pizzas and ice creams as ‘healthier’ options, the charity claims.

“It is ludicrous to claim that fresh foods are not more nutritious than UPFs and to define highly manufactured items like fizzy drinks and ice cream as healthier options,” Cliff added. “This flawed advice leaves the door open for business as usual for ultra-processed diets.”

In response, the FDF said: “FDF regularly engages with government, on behalf of food and drink manufacturers, on regulation that underpins nutrition, food safety and food security; as well as on how we play our part in helping people follow healthier diets.

“In the instance cited, we asked the government to phrase their business guidance on new HFSS regulations in a way that was consistent with that legislation. We were concerned that references to processing in the guidance, which was not covered in the legislation, would cause confusion.”

The Soil Association has now issued an open letter to Health Secretary Wes Streeting, backed by groups including the Obesity Health Alliance, the British Dietetic Association, and the Association of Directors of Public Health. The charity is also urging the public to sign a petition calling for immediate action to make healthier foods more affordable.