This week’s standout figures spotlight high salt intake among UK adults, a commitment by Waitrose to sell more beans, concern among farmers over government policy, and the economic benefit of new advertising restrictions.
155. The average adult consumes the same amount of salt each week as is contained in 155 bags of crisps, according to new research. A study by the British Heart Foundation found adults in England consume on average 8.4g of salt a day, 40% more than the government’s recommended maximum of 6g.
25%. Waitrose has committed to increase fibre sold in key categories by 25% by 2030. It forms part of the supermarket’s commitment to The Food Foundation’s ‘Bang in some beans’ campaign, which has the target of doubling UK bean consumption by 2028.
50%. Half of farmers have cited government policy as the biggest challenge they will face in 2026. The survey by trade magazine Farmers Weekly found that just 8% of respondents cited climate-related risks like floods, droughts and storm-force winds as their primary concern for 2026 despite extreme weather playing havoc with harvests in 2025.
£2bn. The UK Government expects new restrictions on advertising unhealthy foods to children to generate £2bn in health benefits over time. Long-awaited regulations came into force on January 6th that will see adverts for less healthy food and drink banned on television before 9pm and online at all times.
