Food industry leaders urge Andy Burnham to prioritize food security as UK faces rising prices and shortages

Food industry leaders are calling on UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham to prioritize food security amid rising prices and shortages. A letter signed by over 100 organizations emphasizes the urgent need for a comprehensive food policy framework.¹²³

The letter highlights that British production of fruit and vegetables has fallen by 16% since 2015, leading to a reliance on imports for 78% of the supply. Simon Roberts, chief executive of Sainsbury’s, noted, “Recent weeks have shown just how much pressure our food system is under.”⁷

Food insecurity is already impacting 15% of households with children, with the cost of inaction disproportionately affecting those with fewer resources. Richard Hall, Danone's vice president, stated, “Poor diet, especially amongst children, is one of the biggest challenges facing the UK today.”⁹¹⁰

The letter warns that the UK food system is “dangerously exposed to shocks far beyond our borders,” with rising costs and climate change pressures contributing to escalating food prices. Research indicates that food prices are forecast to be 50% higher by November than at the start of the cost-of-living crisis in 2021.¹¹

The proposed legislation aims to create a legal framework for food policy, targeting reductions in childhood obesity, increased fruit and vegetable consumption, and enhanced domestic production to combat household food insecurity. The next food shock is not a question of if, but when, and food must stop being an afterthought for the government.⁸