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In a new report published today, called ‘Hungry for Change', the consumer group scores the Government and private sector out of five on how they have dealt with 12 demands its made in 2004.

The 12 demands and the subsequent scoring in England were:

1.  Prioritise nutrition policy by establishing a nutrition council (3/5)
2.  Set clear goals to reduce obesity in children and adults (4/5)
3.  Restrict TV ads for foods high in fat, sugar or salt targeted at children (3.5/5)
4.  Introduce standards on responsible non-broadcast marketing of food to children (2/5)
5.  Introduce a school food standard (4/5)
6.  Introduce a national labelling scheme (Government - 4/5; Food Retailers - 3/5; Food   Manufacturers - 1/5; Food Caterers - 0.5/5)
7.  Tighten controls on food presented as healthy (Government - 4/5; Food Industry - 2.5/5)
8.  Manufacturers, retailers and caterers to reduce fat, sugar and salt (Government - 3.5/5; Food Manufacturers - 3/5; Food Retailers - 3/5; Food Caterers/Food Service - 1/5)
9. Government to examine financial incentives and disincentives to produce healthier products (1/5)
10. Supermarkets to make it easier for consumers to choose healthier options (2/5)
11. Scrap the Common Agricultural Policy (3.5/5)
12.  Launch a hard-hitting, innovative government campaign to change eating habits (3/5)

A second report published by the group today, entitled ‘Crunch Time for Health', claims the recession is forcing families to make unhealthier food choices.

According to the research, 56% of UK adults surveyed said price has become more important when choosing foods since the financial downturn. Nearly three in five respondents agreed that they would buy more fruit and vegetables if they were cheaper with a quarter saying that the recession had made eating healthily a lower priority.

The Government has taken steps in recently to improve the health of the nation - the ‘Change for Life' initiative being one high profile example. Nonetheless, three quarters of UK adults questioned said they believed the Government should do more to make it easier to choose healthier options.