Last Updated on 20th January 2022
A landmark report by the National Food Strategy has found that poor diet contributes to some 64,000 deaths every year in England alone and costs the economy an estimated £74 billion, say the Worcestershire dentists at Evesham Dental Health Team on Broadway Road.
The Oral Health Foundation, alongside many dentists across the UK, is supporting the report, which recommends the introduction of a sugar and salt reformulation tax, designed to force manufacturers to make the food they sell healthier.
Charity chief executive, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, says: “When it comes to diet, many people think we all have the same choices, but that’s not always true. The report found that on average, highly processed foods are three times cheaper per calorie than healthier foods.
“The impact that sugar has on teeth is truly horrific and is responsible for widening health inequalities. It is the reason why one-in-three adults in the UK have tooth decay and why around 35,000 children are admitted to hospital every year for tooth extractions under general anaesthesia on the NHS.”
He said the success of the Soft Drinks Levy has seen swathes of soft drink manufacturers slash the sugar content of their products. It has also raised an estimated £1.5bn for the Treasury between its introduction in 2018 and the beginning of 2021 The majority of this money has gone to fund healthy eating and exercise projects in schools.
The National Food Strategy estimated that their sugar and salt reformulation tax could raise £2.9-3.4 billion per year for the Treasury. Most importantly however, they believe it would also lower the average sugar and salt intake by enough to completely halt the UK population’s weight gain seen in recent years.
The Oral Health Foundation also believes it could have dramatic benefits for the population’s oral health, reducing cases of tooth decay and extractions and we hope that the recommendations do not fall on deaf ears.
If you are worried about your or your child’s sugar consumption, please get in touch.
