GOLDFINCH: New research project explores how food taxes could improve diets and reduce health inequalities

A new 30-month research project funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is seeking to investigate a significant question in public health nutrition: can fiscal policy help shift diets away from ultra-processed foods and improve population health? GOLDFINCH (Fiscal INCentives for Health through UPF reduction) is exploring how government fiscal policies – such as taxes and subsidies – could help people in the UK eat healthier diets. The project focuses particularly on reducing consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), which are foods that are heavily industrially processed and often high in salt, sugar and unhealthy fats.

UPFs now make up a large proportion of the UK diet and are increasingly linked with poor health outcomes, including obesity, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Evidence reviewed by the World Health Organization shows that fiscal policies, such as taxes on sugary drinks or foods high in unhealthy nutrients, can reduce consumption and encourage food manufacturers to reformulate products. Importantly, these policies can also bring the greatest health benefits to people on lower incomes, who are often most affected by diet-related ill health.

However, while several countries have introduced taxes on sugary drinks or foods high in certain nutrients, there has been limited research on how taxation could specifically target ultra-processed foods. The GOLDFINCH project aims to address this gap by exploring how such policies could be designed, how they might affect consumer behaviour and food purchasing, and what their long-term impacts on health and the economy could be.

The research is being led by Prof Franco Sassi from the Department of Economics and Public Policy at Imperial College London, working with an international team including researchers from the University of Bologna, The George Institute, and public health practitioners from Health Equalities Group. The project will combine economic modelling, analysis of food purchasing data and public engagement to understand how different taxation approaches might work in practice.

A key part of the project is ensuring that public voices—particularly those most affected by food insecurity and health inequalities—are involved in shaping the research. HEG is leading the project’s patient and public involvement and engagement activities. Building on community partnerships across the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector, HEG will help recruit and support members of a Public Reference Group, which will meet regularly to advise researchers throughout the project. This group will help shape research questions, interpret findings and ensure the work remains relevant to real-world concerns.

HEG will also organise eight focus groups across England, including in the North West, North East, East Midlands and South West. These discussions will bring together people from a range of backgrounds, particularly individuals experiencing food insecurity or living in more deprived areas. The focus groups will explore public views on possible food taxation policies and later gather reactions to the project’s findings.

Commenting on HEG’s role in the project, Matthew Philpott, Executive Director at HEG said:

“Health Equalities Group is delighted to be a partner in the GOLDFINCH project, helping to ensure that the voices of communities most affected by diet-related ill health and food insecurity are heard throughout the research. Our role is to bring together people with lived experience through focus groups and a public reference group so that the project’s work on food taxation and healthier diets is informed by real-world perspectives. We look forward to working with the research team to help generate evidence that can support fairer food policies and ultimately reduce health inequalities across the UK.”