One third of UK nutrition advisers have ties to food industry, BMJ finds

Nearly a third of the nutrition advisers appointed by the UK government retain “significant” connections to major food companies, according to a new analysis published today by The BMJ. The review examined the declared interests of members of the government’s scientific advisory bodies and found that close ties to firms such as Coca‑Cola, Sainsbury’s and Danone remain common, with almost 30 % of advisers reporting relationships that meet the BMJ’s threshold for significance.

The assessment identified a range of affiliations, including consultancy contracts, research funding, shareholdings and board memberships, that could be perceived as influencing policy advice. The BMJ authors highlighted that while some advisers disclosed these links, the prevalence of such ties raises questions about the robustness of conflict‑of‑interest safeguards in the current advisory framework. The report also noted that the proportion of advisers with industry connections has not markedly declined since earlier audits, suggesting that existing measures have had limited impact.

The findings arrive as the Department for Health and Social Care faces renewed scrutiny over the independence of its nutrition guidance. Officials have indicated that they will review the BMJ analysis and consider strengthening disclosure requirements to ensure that policy recommendations are insulated from commercial influence. The government’s response is expected to shape future standards for advisory appointments and the management of potential conflicts of interest.