UK’s unhealthy food habits cost £268bn a year, report finds

The report found increasing consumption of foods high in fat, salt and sugar was having a devastating impact on health. Photograph: Penny Stephens/The Guardian

The UK’s growing addiction to unhealthy food costs £268bn a year, far outstripping the budget for the whole NHS, the first research into the subject has found.

The increased consumption of foods high in fat, salt and sugar or which have been highly processed is having a “devastating” impact on human health and Britain’s finances.