The government’s ‘5-a-day’ campaign is unlikely to succeed, according to a new report.

The UK Government has no chance of combating obesity, waste, climate change and fair trade issues without harnessing the power of supermarkets, according to a report by the Sustainable Development Commission.

The study, entitled Green, Healthy and Fair, says that despite 19 government departments managing almost 100 policy responsibilities dealing with food and supermarkets, the UK does not have a sustainable food system.

According to the report, the government’s ‘5-a-day’ campaign is unlikely to succeed whilst high-calorie, low nutrient processed foods are also being promoted aggressively.

Obesity and waste are being fuelled by multi-buy promotions, over-packaging and non-recyclable packaging, the independent body says.

In addition, climate change policies aimed at reducing emissions from supermarket operations fail to adequately address transport issues, including goods transportation and the effect of planning laws on customers’ car use.

Professor Tim Lang, Commissioner at the Sustainable Development Commission, commented: “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.

“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. In fact, our research with supermarkets has shown that in areas such as climate change or recycling policy, they are often frustrated by the lack of clarity or long-term strategy on which they can plan for the future.”

Over 70% of UK groceries are currently sold by the top four supermarkets – Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons.

Despite some encouraging initiatives, too many supermarket products and practices are still unhealthy, unjust and unsustainable, the report concludes.

To read the study in full, click here

By Natasha Piscitelli