Celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has publicly criticised Health Secretary Victoria Atkins and the UK government for what he perceives as a failure to adequately address the obesity crisis. In a recent interview on the BBC’s Sunday show, Fearnley-Whittingstall confronted Atkins about the government’s obesity strategy, expressing dissatisfaction at the perceived lack of a concrete plan. The debate comes in the wake of Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s announcement to delay the implementation of key anti-obesity policies, initially set by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2020, until October 2025. These policies include banning junk food advertisements and restricting multi-buy deals on unhealthy foods.

During the interview, Atkins referred to obesity as part of a broader preventative health strategy, which aims to combat various conditions linked to obesity, such as type two diabetes. She mentioned the government is considering societal factors in its approach to public health policies and highlighted the potential use of the NHS app to encourage individuals to manage their health proactively. Plans for an unveiled prevention strategy were also hinted at in the coming weeks.

Fearnley-Whittingstall, a known Green party supporter, criticized the government’s delay, arguing that the obesity epidemic, exacerbated by increased childhood obesity rates during the pandemic, urgently requires more aggressive policy interventions. He pointed to the heavy burden obesity places on NHS resources and the health of UK citizens.

The clash between Fearnley-Whittingstall and Atkins highlights ongoing debates about the most effective ways to address obesity in the UK, amidst concerns over policy delays and the need for comprehensive measures to encourage healthier lifestyles among the population.