Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryNGO report

Corporate Lobbying: The Dark Side of the Plate

The Food Foundation

2025

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Summary

This report by the Food Foundation investigates the lobbying practices of food and drink industry corporations in the UK, documenting how commercial actors seek to shape or weaken public health policy to protect business interests. Drawing on publicly available lobbying registers, parliamentary records, and industry disclosures, it presents evidence of systematic efforts to resist regulatory measures on issues such as junk food advertising, sugar reduction, and nutritional labelling. The report concludes with actionable recommendations for greater transparency and stronger governance to reduce undue industry influence on food policy.

UK applicability

The report is directly and exclusively applicable to the UK policy context, with findings relevant to Westminster and devolved government policymakers, public health bodies, and civil society organisations seeking to strengthen food system governance.

Key measures

Lobbying disclosures; parliamentary meetings and submissions; industry funding of political access; policy outcomes affected by corporate influence

Outcomes reported

The report examines the extent and mechanisms of corporate lobbying by food and drink companies and trade associations, assessing how such activity may obstruct or dilute evidence-based public health and food policy in the UK.

Theme
Policy, governance & rights
Subject
Food industry political influence & regulatory governance
Study type
Policy
Study design
Policy report
Source type
NGO report
Status
Published
Geography
UK
System type
Food supply chain
Catalogue ID
XL1173

Topic tags

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