Over Half of UK Flagship Products “Unhealthy” – ShareAction

The majority of 100 key flagship products made by multinational brands like Kellogg’s and Kraft Heinz are unhealthy, according to research by Action on Salt, an expert group at Queen Mary University of London. Conducted in collaboration with UK NGO ShareAction, the research noted that nearly half of all products surveyed would receive a red colour-coded warning label, indicating the product is high in sugar, salt or saturated fat. Over a third of items surveyed, and two in three Unilever projects, failed to meet targets under the UK Department of Health’s salt reduction programme. The report has recommended that, rather than “fight” the restrictions, companies should reformulate their products and make them healthier to avoid financial losses. Ignacio Vazquez, ShareAction’s Head of Health, said: “While some manufacturers are taking steps to increase their sales of healthy foods, the overall picture is of an industry lagging behind. The impact of obesity on a healthier society is clear and investments in companies over-reliant on the sales of unhealthy foods are fast becoming stranded assets.”  

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