Processed Food: Children

United Kingdom dietary recommendations are based on robust independent risk assessments by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN). In its 2023 and 2025 position statements on processed foods and health, the SACN concluded that while there are limitations in the evidence, on balance, most people are likely to benefit from reducing their consumption of processed foods high in energy, saturated fat, salt, and free sugars, and low in fibre.

In relation to foods and drinks that would be classified as high in calories, saturated fat, salt, and free sugars, work on our health commitments is progressing through:

• implementing the television and online advertising restrictions for less healthy food or drink;
• consulting on plans to ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under 16 years old; and
• giving local authorities stronger, clearer powers to block new fast-food outlets near schools and where young people congregate.

There are a range of actions have already been taken to create a healthier environment to help children reduce their consumption of foods high in energy, saturated fat, salt, and free sugars, and these include:

• the Healthy Start scheme, which in April 2025 supported over 361,000 people;
• the Nursery Milk Scheme, which provides a reimbursement to childcare providers in England and Wales for a daily 1/3 pint portion of milk to children and babies; and
• the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme, which provides approximately 2.2 million children in Key Stage 1 with a portion of fresh fruit or vegetables per day at school.