Committee publication · Correspondence · 4 February 2026
Correspondence from the Minister of State for Health - UK Nutrient Profiling Model 2018
From: Health and Social Care Committee
Inquiry: Food and Weight Management
Summary
Karin Smyth, Minister of State for Health, notifies the Health and Social Care Committee that the government has published the UK Nutrient Profiling Model 2018, updating the 2004/5 version. The new model reflects 2015 SACN dietary recommendations, is more stringent on free sugars and fibre, and will strengthen advertising and promotions restrictions on less healthy foods. A public consultation on applying the new NPM to these restrictions is planned for later in 2026.
Key findings
- UK Nutrient Profiling Model 2018 published, replacing the 2004/5 version to reflect latest dietary guidance on free sugars and fibre intake.
- Advertising restrictions on less healthy food took legal effect this month, removing 7.2 billion calories from children's diets annually; applying the new NPM could reduce a further 170,000 childhood obesity cases.
- Promotions restrictions have already resulted in 2 million fewer sales of less healthy products daily; children consume twice recommended free sugars levels, contributing to obesity and dental health problems.
- New NPM will classify most confectionery, biscuits, puddings, savoury snacks, ice creams, and some yogurts and breakfast cereals as less healthy.
- Government will undertake comprehensive stakeholder engagement and public consultation later in 2026 before applying the new NPM to advertising and promotions restrictions.
Tone
SupportiveTopics
Key actors
Karin Smyth MP, Layla Moran MP, Health and Social Care Committee, Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), Department of Health and Social Care
Notable line
“… applying the new NPM will strengthen these policies and could reduce a further 170,000 cases of childhood obesity on top of their existing health benefits.”
Key Quotes
“… resulting new NPM is more discerning to free sugars which evidence shows have a stronger association with poor health outcomes in children.”
“Children are consuming twice the recommended level of free sugars which increases their risk of overweight and obesity and associated illness, including poor dental health.”
“Applying the new NPM to our policies will target more products of concern to childhood obesity, meaning most confectionery products, biscuits, puddings, savoury snacks and ice creams are classified as less healthy.”
“We are publishing the new NPM now to maximise the time industry has to consider this change and the impact of the new NPM on their product portfolios so they can plan and adapt.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗