AN NHS ‘healthy-eating” app is actually promoting life-threatening junk food, campaigners claim.
The health service’s Food Scanner is supposed to tell users how good for you a food is using the product’s barcode.
NHS Food Scanner app shows ultra-processed foods are a “good choice”
But an investigation found the app — which has been downloaded more than 500,000 times — regularly recommends ultra-processed foods like biscuits and cakes.
Studies show ultra-processed foods, which also include ready meals, fizzy drinks and white bread, increase the risk of dying with cancer by up to 30 per cent.
Cathy Cliff, of the Soil Association charity that did the investigation, said the fact the app is actively promoting them is “near criminal”.
She said: “We are shocked to see the government not only ignoring the health risks around ultra-processed foods but actively encouraging families to consume them.
“It seems like the government is more concerned about corporate profits than children’s health.
“When every penny counts, it is near criminal that families are being misled to waste money on junk food that doesn’t fill you up with anything other than health risks.”
She added: “It is wrong that fizzy drinks and crisps are being promoted to children. The government is taking the biscuit.
“We are calling for them to cut the crap — stop telling families that ultra-processed food is a good choice and show true leadership by helping us all to eat better.”
Ultra-processed foods are products that are made using ingredients or cooking methods that aren’t found in a typical kitchen.
These include chemical preservatives and additives and the foods are typically high in salt, sugar and fat, making them more likely to cause heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
Most of the food eaten in Britain is ultra-processed, making up nearly two thirds of under-14s’ diets.
The NHS Food Scanner App was launched as part of the NHS’s Better Health campaign, alongside Couch To 5K and the NHS Quit Smoking app.
It allows users to scan barcodes on products to see how much fat, sugar and salt they have, awarding a ‘Good Choice’ badge to products deemed below a certain threshold.
But it does not take into account what level of processing the products have been through.
The Soil Association — which campaigns for sustainable farming and healthier food — investigation asked 17 parents to test the app on products their children liked.
It found 104 foods were awarded a “Good Choice”, “Healthier Choice” or “High-5 go go green” badge.
However, 80 per cent of these were ultra-processed, the charity said.
The list included McVitie’s Rich Tea Biscuits, Lost the Pot Noodle and Pepsi Max Cherry No Sugar Cola.
Ms Cliff said: “Many of the products given a thumbs up by the NHS Food Scanner App are unhealthy, ultra-processed food and drink sold by some of the most popular British brands.
“With junk food manufacturers endorsed by the Good Choice badge, it is unforgivable that a public health campaign is at times benefiting food businesses more than families.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Diets high in ultra-processed foods are also high in calories, sugar, saturated fat and salt, which can cause chronic illnesses including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers.
“The Food Scanner app helps families to see what’s in their food and drinks and gives choices of products that can help them cut down on sugar, saturated fat and salt, including alternatives to family favourites such as biscuits, crisps and fizzy drinks.
“We are always looking to improve the app experience, including extending and personalising messaging around different food and drink categories and we welcome feedback from parents as well as organisations to aid us in this process.”
NHS England was approached for comment.
