Food Policy in the United Kingdom: An Introduction

This book provides an introduction to food policy in the United Kingdom, examining policy development, implementation, influences and current issues.

The book begins by providing a wide-ranging introduction to food policy in the UK, situating it within wider global debates and establishing key drivers, such as issues related to global citizenship, trade and finance. The use of food control as a policy lever is also discussed and contrasted with alternative approaches based on behaviour change. The book presents an overview of the history of UK food policy, from which there is much to be learned, before moving onto current challenges posed by political instability, both at home and abroad, global pandemics and cost of living crises. Foremost is the need to manage public health, including both malnutrition and obesity, while promoting sustainable and healthy diets, as well as the broader issues around addressing food security and food poverty. The book also examines public sector food initiatives, such as school food and early childhood provisions, and food regulation. As a part of food regulation, chapters examine food scares and food fraud, from chalk in flour to ＂horsegate＂. The role of media, marketing and advertising is also considered within a policy perspective. Taking a wider lens, the book also discusses the impact of global food trade and the financialisation of food on food policy in the UK and vice versa. The book is supported by instructor eResources on the Routledge website designed to support student learning as well as provide regular updates on UK food policy developments. The eResources include student activities, group exercises and links to further reading and additional resources.

This book serves as a key introduction to UK food and agricultural policy for students, scholars, policymakers and professionals, as well as those interested in food systems, public health and social policy more widely.

Martin Caraher is Emeritus Professor of Food and Health Policy in the Centre for Food Policy at City, University London, UK. He is a founding member of the London Food Board and has sat on the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) advisory board. He has published five books, including The Economics of Emergency Food Aid Provision (2018) and Food Poverty and Insecurity (2016).

Sinéad Furey is a Senior Lecturer in Consumer Management and Food Innovation at Ulster University Business School, UK. She previously worked in food and consumer policy roles for the Consumer Council, Education and Training Inspectorate, and the Food Standards Agency in Northern Ireland.

Rebecca Wells is a Senior Lecturer in Food Policy in the Centre for Food Policy at City, University of London, UK and the Programme Director for the Centre’s MSc in Food Policy. She previously worked as a producer and food journalist on radio programmes for the BBC, including BBC Radio 4’s The Food Programme.