Arla Food Ingredients has announced an initiative set to combine consumer insight with a review of national nutrition data compiled by the British Nutrition Foundation to create a view of how the UK eats.

Arla’s ‘Plate of the Nation‘ initiative has reportedly revealed a “stark nutrition gap”, where people are consuming enough calories but missing essential nutrients.

A YouGov survey of 5,000 adults and 800 children showed that while 79% of people say healthy eating is important, only 53% actually eat healthily most of the time. Arla said the research shows that while awareness of healthy eating is high, many people feel unable to act on it due to a combination of confusion, time constraints, cost pressures and unequal access to nutritious food.

Additionally, although 75% of adults claimed they understand which foods are healthy, only 37% said eating a healthy diet is easy. According to Arla, 33% cite convenience as a barrier; 31% say healthy food is too expensive (rising to higher levels among Gen Z and lower-income households); 24% admit unhealthy food tastes better. For children, taste is even more powerful: 98% say they want to eat what tastes nice, and 45% said “my favourite foods aren’t healthy”.

The survey also found that around one in five adults (22%) admitted they “don’t care about what’s in my food as long as it tastes good”, a figure that rises to 30% among Gen Z and 25% among C2DE (a classification for three lower socio-economic groups) households.

Arla found that the most deprived households would need to spend around 50% of their disposable income to meet Government recommended dietary guidelines, and for families with children in the most deprived households, that figure rises to 85%.

The showed that 40% of people in the most deprived households said they eat healthily “most of the time”, compared to 56% in more affluent groups.

“Closing the nutrition gap is bigger than any one company or any one policy.”

Bas Padberg, managing director at Arla Foods UK, commented: “Healthy diets should be available to everyone. This research shows a nation that understands the problem but faces structural barriers – convenience, confusion, cost and taste – that make healthy eating feel harder. That includes the everyday moments that shape our diets – like breakfast – where small changes can make a positive difference.

“For decades, the conversation around food has focused on what to avoid – things like sugar, salt and fat. And while we know that’s a public health crisis we have to address, it’s also time to look at how we can help people see what they should be eating and change the conversation around our food.

“Closing the nutrition gap is bigger than any one company or any one policy. We need to change the environment people are navigating every day. It will take businesses, Government, educators, health professionals and communities working together.”

Consumers require “clear, evidence-based information”

Elaine Hindal, chief executive of the British Nutrition Foundation, stated: “This report highlights a growing ‘nutrition gap’ in the UK, where many people are consuming enough calories, but insufficient amounts of the nutrients needed to support good health. Poor diet is now a leading contributor to preventable ill health, particularly affecting young people and those in more disadvantaged communities.

“Closing this gap will require action across the whole food system. Clear, evidence-based information, alongside supportive food environments, is essential to help people make healthier choices in their everyday lives. Initiatives such as this can play a valuable role in informing the conversation and supporting practical, science-led approaches to improving population health.”

Padberg added: “We want to open the door to partners who share our ambition: to build a healthier, fairer food system, one that serves people, strengthens communities and delivers lasting change. This is a long-term commitment, and we’re determined to play our part.”

Arla has committed to a review of its on-pack labelling, exploring how it can better reflect positive nutrition and help shoppers understand not just what to cut back on, but what their bodies need. It will also undertake a school outreach programme to share information and education about health and nutrition.