Philip Clarke, chief executive of Tesco, has told the Government to bring in a law to tackle obesity and that legislation might be required to “level the playing field” with restaurants, takeaways, cinemas and other retailers.
In a letter to Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, which was obtained by The Times under the Freedom of Information Act, Clarke wrote: “Given the scale of the issue, joined-up action across government, industry and health NGOs (non-governmental organisations) is the most likely way in which we will be able to influence change. I fear that a legislative approach may be required to overcome some issues but this would need to be appropriate, targeted and evidence-based.
“Should the Government achieve this, it would have the benefit of levelling the playing field, requiring all of those who contribute to the obesity challenge (including restaurants, takeaways, cinemas, other retailers etc) to play their part in changing behaviour.”
Clarke’s letter comes amid pressure on supermarkets to crack down on so-called “guilt lanes”, where junk food is displayed beside checkouts, and a commitment by retailers to introduce a new “traffic light” labelling system on food packaging.
Clarke said that there was no “silver bullet” to change attitudes towards food and eating habits.
“Public health will never be improved just from Whitehall.” said Jane Ellison, the new minister for public health, in October this year. “The idea that the Government do not take responsibility for public health seriously is ridiculous,” she stated. “The work has to be done together, among local government… central Government, business and industry. Such long-term partnership working to improve the public’s health can only be done together.”
Brandon Lewis, the minister responsible for high streets, quoted in The Telegraph in October, said it’s “wholly wrong” for ministers to tell people not to eat at popular fast food chains like McDonald’s and Burger King. Lewis, who is also the minister for community pubs, evoked the mantra of personal responsibility when he said people have a responsibility to stop them and their families “eating [fast food] three times a day”. The minister said it would be “socialist” to force fast food restaurants off UK high streets.
Ellison said the Government was “keen to inject more energy” in the Responsibility Deal, adding: “There is always more to do and we are keen to take this forward.”
