I am a food policy specialist working as Commercial Determinants Coordinator at food charity Sustain. I advise government bodies on how to write and implement policies to restrict unhealthy food advertising, including Transport for London and several English local governments. The policy has been well evidenced to significantly reduce food-related ill health such as obesity and diabetes, while maintaining advertising revenues.

In the UK, there has been considerable work demonstrating and advocating for regulating the food industry because of the benefits to population health, equality and climate. However, at both a local and national level, these policies have faced considerable barriers to being implemented.

Countries in Latin America have successfully passed strong food policies in recent years despite major barriers. There are therefore important lessons that UK policymakers can learn for regulating the food industry to champion our health, the health of our planet and equality.