New report released from Sustainable Development Commission: Green, Healthy and Fair

26 March 2008

A Sustainable Development Commission review of policies affecting supermarkets has concluded that government cannot successfully combat obesity, waste, climate change and fair trade issues without a concerted approach to harness the power of supermarkets.

The report Green, Healthy and Fair - A review of the government's role in supporting sustainable supermarket food finds that:

5-a-day public health messages cannot succeed while high-calorie, low nutrient processed foods are promoted aggressively, making fresh produce appear expensive and unappealing by comparison
Obesity and waste are being fuelled by multi-buy promotions, over-packaging and non-recyclable packaging

Over 70% of UK groceries are sold by four supermarket chains - Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons. While the government maintains an official 'hands-off' approach to supermarkets, the Sustainable Development Commission found 19 Whitehall departments with a total of almost one hundred policy responsibilities related to supermarkets and food.

However, despite some encouraging initiatives, too many supermarket products and practices are still unhealthy, unjust and unsustainable.

Conflicting policies from different areas of government are also making it impossible to achieve targets. Supermarkets and consumers are confused over the relative merits of 'local' food versus the value to overseas development of foods such as green beans air freighted from Kenya.

Professor Tim Lang, Commissioner at the Sustainable Development Commission, said: "Government cannot resolve the problems of obesity, waste or climate change alone. Given the enormous influence wielded by supermarkets, working with them effectively is essential.

"There are many areas where the government and retailers are already working together, but government needs to be more ambitious. With public scrutiny of retailers' behaviour increasing, many supermarkets are keen to work with government to develop a green, healthy and fair food system."

The Sustainable Development Commission identifies six priority areas for government and supermarket action: waste; nutrition and obesity; climate change; fair supply chains; ecosystems and water.

NUTRITION AND OBESITY
Modern food consumption is a key contributor to obesity and diet-related disease including cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. There is growing evidence that a healthy and seasonal diet, rich in fruit and vegetables, and containing less processed food and meat is also better for the planet, leading to lower greenhouse gas emissions and less impact on ecosystems

Recommendations include:

The government must use its influence to ensure supermarkets reformulate products and to shift the balance of promotions towards healthier products
A single, mandatory front-of-pack system of nutrient labelling is essential to eliminate the confusion caused by multiple schemes

To access the Report, Green Healthy and Fair, visit the Sustainable Development Commission's website or download the report (PDF, 3.02MB).

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