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Open Access CC BY V4.0
Journal article
The effectiveness of mandatory v. voluntary food reformulation policies: a rapid review
British journal of nutrition, Vol.133(6), pp.737-750
2025
PMID: 40518854
Abstract
While reformulation policies are commonly used to incentivise manufacturers to improve the nutrient profile of the foods and beverages they produce, only a few countries have implemented mandatory reformulation policies. This paper aimed to review evidence on the design, implementation challenges and effectiveness of mandatory reformulation policies and compare them to voluntary reformulation policies. The systematic search retrieved seventy-one studies including twelve on mandatory reformulation policies. Most mandatory reformulation policies were aimed at reducing trans-fatty acids or sodium in foods. Overall, mandatory reformulation policies were found to be more effective than voluntary ones in improving dietary intakes. Mandatory policies were implemented when voluntary policies either failed or were found to be insufficient to improve the composition of foods. Typical features of mandatory policies could also improve the design of voluntary policies. Examples include strict but attainable targets and a tight monitoring of compliance.
Details
- Title
- The effectiveness of mandatory v. voluntary food reformulation policies: a rapid review
- Authors/Creators
- Mathilde Gressier - Imperial College LondonGary Frost - Imperial College LondonZoe Hill - Department of Health and Social CareDanying Li - Imperial College LondonJack Olney - Imperial College LondonElisa Pineda - The George Institute for Global HealthVictoria Targett - Department of Health and Social CareMichelle Young - Department of Health and Social CareFranco Sassi - Imperial College London
- Publication Details
- British journal of nutrition, Vol.133(6), pp.737-750
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Number of pages
- 14
- Grant note
- BBSRC MRC Office for Health and Improvement and Disparities NIHR NIHR Biomedical Research Centre 774548 / European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme
- Identifiers
- 991005884954107891
- Copyright
- © The Author(s), 2025.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Computational and Systems Medicine
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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