The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) have recently published their 23rd annual report, covering the calendar year 2023. 

SACN advises the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) and other UK government organisations on nutrition and related health matters. Their advice covers the scientific aspects of nutrition and health with specific reference to: 

• nutrient intakes and nutritional status of the population 
• nutrient content of individual foods and advice on individual nutrients and diet as a whole, including the definition of a balanced diet 
• monitoring and surveillance of the above aspects 
• nutritional issues which affect wider public health policy issues including conditions where nutritional status is one of a number of risk factors (such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, oral health, osteoporosis, and obesity) 
• research requirements for the above 

This latest report provides a summary of the work of SACN and its working groups and subgroups, along with details of members’ declarations of interest and their biographies. 

Amongst the work undertaken, July 2023 saw the publication of the ‘SACN statement on processed foods and health’. SACN concluded that the association between higher consumption of (ultra-) processed foods and adverse health outcomes is concerning – however, limitations in the available evidence mean that it is unclear whether these foods are inherently unhealthy due to processing or because a large majority of processed foods are high in calories, saturated fat, salt and/or sugar.  

Given SACN’s concerns, the committee has added the topic of processed foods to its watching brief and will consider it at the next horizon scan meeting in June 2024. We will keep you updated. 

You can access the annual report here