M&S and Co-op join call for new 'Good Food Bill' amid claims of failing food system in UK

More than 100 UK retailers, food businesses, investors, health organisations, food and farming NGOs and academics are calling on the UK government to introduce a ‘Good Food Bill’ to protect citizens, farmers and food businesses. 

This would enshrine in law policies, targets and ambitions to improve public health, reduce inequalities, protect the environment and improve UK resilience, while safeguarding progress from short-term political cycles. 

The initiative sees businesses including Marks & Spencer (M&S), Danone, Co-op Group, Bidfood, The Compleat Food Group and caterers Elior and Sodexo are lining up alongside NGOs including The Food Foundation, Sustain, Green Alliance, Barnardo's and WWF, as well as health organisations like the British Medical Association, British Heart Foundation and the British Dental Association.

Anna Taylor, Executive Director, The Food Foundation, says: “A Good Food Bill would provide the durable policy foundation needed to transform the food system for generations to come. Governments can achieve important wins within a single term, but only legislation can lock in change, providing certainty and protecting progress from shifting political priorities.”

“With food strategies and legislation already in place across the devolved nations, this is a timely opportunity for Westminster to introduce legislation that benefits the whole UK. We are calling on the government to seize this moment, commit to new primary legislation and lead the change needed to build a food system fit for the future.”  

Andrew Clappen, Director of Food Technology at M&S Food, says: “To ensure national food security, we need a strong cross-government commitment which is supported by industry to increase domestic food supply. We support this call for a Good Food Bill, to refocus our national approach to build sustainable supply chains, increase investment in climate resilience and support farmers and growers to put nutritious food on our plates.” 

 Julie Owst, Head of Sustainability, Bidfood, says: "We need a Good Food Bill more than ever - it’s not just a ‘nice to have’. On the back of the recent UK government report into growing threats to national security and food availability and affordability, we absolutely need intervention and legislation to improve UK food supply resilience, and the livelihoods and productivity of those working to provide food - as the current trajectory means the needs of the UK population won’t be met - and this inconvenient truth needs acknowledgement and action." 

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

Food retail will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards will open for entries in April. They celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Thursday, 15th October.

Check out our 2025 winners here.

Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”

“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”

He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”

Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.