Defra have published the latest results for the 2023/24 National Food Survey which shows huge changes in the British diet over the last 85 years, as global tastes and demands for heathier food change what is on our plates.

The National Food Survey has been asking around 4,000-5,000 families to record what they buy since 1940. Since then, British diets have changed significantly – with families becoming less dependent on bread. In the 1940s, households ate around 1.6kg of bread per person per week (two whole standard sliced loaves), whereas in the 2020s it is around 500g. Rice, pasta and other grains have increased as a proportion of carbohydrate in our diets. Chicken is now the UK’s most popular meat, however, before 1953 they were typically only used for eggs rather than eating

Among other findings, the data shows:

• Changes in household staples – Historically apples were Britain’s favourite fruit, until 1996 when bananas took over the top spot.
• The introduction of new food types – Throughout the 20th century, new foods became popular in British households, including soy and oat milks in the 1970s, soy protein products in the 1990s, and rice in the 1990s.
• The introduction of new kitchen technologies, allowing greater convenience and for the creation of new types of meals – The figures show just 10% of families owned fridges in the 1950s, freezer ownership was 25% in the 1970s, and around 40% of households owned microwaves in the 1970s and 1980s. Today’s data shows air fryer ownership is as high as 20% in the 2020s.
• Tastes for other drinks – Families are drinking more than three times (330%) more fruit juice in the 1980s compared to the 1970s. The number of vineyards in the UK has increased too, with 502 in 2015 compared to 400 vineyards in the 1980s.

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) have published Guidance documents for the up coming EU Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing (IUU) requirements from 10 January.

From 10 January 2026, start date, high seas area, Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ), Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMO) and gear type fields will be mandatory under new EU regulations.

You can download the new guidance here

Defra are inviting stakeholders to join them on Thursday 4 December at 11:00 – 11:45am for the second instalment of their new webinar series bringing the latest updates on the food strategy:

Hear from:

• Tessa Jones, Agri-Food Director at Defra
• Natasha Burgon, Director for Health Improvement at the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC)
• Tazeem Bhatia, Chief Nutritionist & Deputy Director for Diet and Obesity at DHSC

They will share updates on the NHS 10-Year Plan and its implications for the food sector. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions.

This webinar is supported by the Institute for Grocery Distribution (IGD) in its role as co-secretariat to the Food Strategy Advisory Board

Register here

If you missed it you can view the first webinar in the series here

Food Drink Europe (FDE), the body representing Europe’s food and drink industry, have published a position paper on ultra-processed foods (UPFs).

More than half of the European adult population and a third of children are overweight or obese, while malnutrition remains a major challenge. Major environmental issues also exist, including the climate emergency and biodiversity loss.

The paper states that in the search for effective solutions, the use of ‘ultra-processed food’ terminology, and associated classifications, will hamper EU efforts to improve public health and environmental outcomes.

The paper can be accessed here and discusses each of the following points:

• ‘More processed’ does not mean ‘less healthy’ or ‘less sustainable’
• Ultra-processed food classifications are flawed
• Ultra-processed food terminology confuses everyone, from experts to consumers
• There are many unintended consequences to targeting ultra-processed foods
• Food safety at the heart of public policy
• There are better solutions to improve health and sustainability