What is classed as junk food in the UK?

December 14, 2025 •

4 min read

Government statistics reveal that over a third of children in England are overweight or obese by the time they leave primary school. To combat this public health crisis, the UK government has defined specific criteria for what is classed as junk food in the UK, officially known as High in Fat, Salt, or Sugar (HFSS) foods.

Quick Summary

The UK's official definition of junk food, referred to as High in Fat, Salt, and Sugar (HFSS) foods, is based on a scoring system that evaluates nutrient content and a set of 13 specific food categories. This classification influences regulations on advertising and promotions.

Key Points

Official Definition: In the UK, 'junk food' is legally defined as 'High in Fat, Salt, and Sugar' (HFSS) based on a nutrient profiling model and categorisation system, not just personal opinion.
HFSS Criteria: A product must fall into one of 13 specific food categories and have a 'less healthy' score on the Nutrient Profile Model to be classified as HFSS.
Nutrient Profiling: The Nutrient Profile Model (NPM) calculates a score based on a food's calories, saturated fat, sugar, and salt versus its protein, fibre, fruit, and vegetable content.
Broader Scope: The HFSS list includes surprising items like some sweetened yoghurts, breakfast cereals, and crumpets, which many people don't consider traditional junk food.
Promotion and Advertising Bans: HFSS regulations restrict promotions like multi-buys, ban adverts on TV before 9pm, and limit online advertising to reduce children's exposure.
Differing Perceptions: Public perception of what constitutes junk food often differs from the government's HFSS classification, although common items like sweets and crisps are largely agreed upon.
Consumer Empowerment: Understanding the HFSS classification allows consumers to make more informed dietary decisions based on nutritional data rather than just marketing.

The term 'junk food' is often used informally to describe food with low nutritional value and high calories, but in the UK, it has a specific, legally defined meaning. For policy and regulatory purposes, the government classifies products as 'less healthy' using the Nutrient Profiling Model (NPM). An item is considered junk food if it is both categorised as a product of concern for childhood obesity and scores poorly on this model. This comprehensive approach goes beyond mere public perception, affecting everything from supermarket promotions to pre-watershed television advertising.

The UK's Official HFSS Definition

The HFSS regulations, implemented to curb the nation's obesity rates, particularly among children, rely on a two-pronged test. A food product is deemed 'less healthy' and subject to restrictions only if it meets both criteria.

Product Category: The item must fall into one of 13 specific food categories that the government has identified as the most significant for childhood obesity.
Nutrient Profile Score: The product's nutritional makeup is then assessed using the NPM, a scoring system developed by the Food Standards Agency.

This precise definition means that while a bag of sweets is clearly HFSS by public and governmental standards, some other items might be surprising additions to the list, as the final score depends on a combination of factors.

Key Food Categories Under Restriction

The list of 13 categories targeted by the HFSS regulations is broad, covering many popular and heavily marketed food and drink items. A product in any of these categories will undergo nutrient scoring to determine its HFSS status.

Prepared Soft Drinks: Including colas, lemonades, and fruit squash with added sugar. Smoothies and energy drinks are also included.
Savoury Snacks: Predominantly crisps, but also extends to savoury crackers, rice cakes, and tortilla chips.
Breakfast Cereals: Includes items like granola, muesli, and porridge oats, depending on their sugar content.
Chocolates and Sweets: The vast majority of confectionery falls here, along with popcorn and chewing gum.
Ice Cream: Covers both dairy and non-dairy products, including frozen yoghurt, sorbet, and ice lollies.
Cakes and Cupcakes: Doughnuts, flapjacks, and éclairs are included, with icing specifically exempted.
Sweet Biscuits and Bars: This includes everything from wafers to cereal and protein bars.
Morning Goods: Such as croissants, pain au chocolat, crumpets, and scones.
Desserts and Puddings: Includes custards, jellies, and mousses.
Sweetened Yoghurt: Any yoghurt with added sugar or sweeteners, including dairy-free alternatives.
Pizza: All varieties are included, except plain bases and garlic bread.
Prepared Potato Products: Includes chips, hash browns, and croquettes, but not plain cooked potatoes.
Ready Meals: A broad category covering reheated meals, sandwiches, and burgers.

How the Nutrient Profile Model Works

The Nutrient Profile Model (NPM) provides a quantitative method to classify foods as 'healthier' or 'less healthy'. The scoring system is based on a simple principle of balancing nutrients to avoid demonising entire food groups.

A Points: Points are awarded for components with a negative impact on health: calories, saturated fat, total sugar, and sodium. More points are given for higher levels of these nutrients.
C Points: Points are subtracted for positive nutrients: fruit, vegetable, and nut content, as well as fibre and protein. More points are deducted for higher levels of these beneficial nutrients.

For most food products, if the final score is 4 or above, it is considered HFSS. For drinks, a score of 1 or more triggers the HFSS classification. This allows for nuance, meaning a cereal with high sugar is HFSS, but one with high fibre might not be.

The Difference Between HFSS and Personal Perception

Public perception of what constitutes 'junk food' often differs from the government's official HFSS list. A 2024 YouGov poll highlighted a significant disconnect, revealing how the regulations extend to products many Brits don't view as unhealthy. For instance, a majority of people would not consider crumpets or porridge oats to be junk food, yet depending on their nutritional score, they can fall under the HFSS banner. This reflects a shift towards a more clinical, data-driven approach to food classification.

Public vs. Government Views

While there is wide public consensus on some items, other HFSS products surprise consumers. Sweets (91%) and crisps (88%) are overwhelmingly considered junk food by the public, aligning with their HFSS status. In contrast, many are surprised that items like some cereals, yoghurts, and crumpets can be caught by the rules. The inclusion of these items reflects the government's focus on total nutritional value rather than just high-sugar confections.


Food Item	HFSS Category (if applicable)	Public View (% who say it's junk)
Sweets	Confectionery	91%
Crisps	Savoury Snacks	88%
Porridge Oats	Breakfast Cereals	2%
Crumpets	Morning Goods	26%
Sweetened Yoghurt	Sweetened Yoghurt	5%

Impact of Junk Food Regulations

The implications of being classified as HFSS are far-reaching for food manufacturers and retailers. As of October 2025, promotions like 'buy one get one free' for HFSS items are banned, along with restrictions on their placement in prominent store locations such as checkouts and aisle ends. Furthermore, advertising HFSS products on TV before 9 pm and as paid online adverts is also restricted. These measures are designed to reduce exposure to less healthy products, particularly for children, in an effort to guide consumers towards healthier choices.

Conclusion: Navigating the UK's Junk Food Landscape

In summary, the answer to what is classed as junk food in the UK is a complex, regulated definition rather than a simple label. The classification as a 'less healthy' or HFSS product is determined by a combination of the product's food category and its score on the Nutrient Profile Model. While the rules target obvious offenders like confectionery and crisps, they also capture more surprising items based on their nutritional breakdown. By understanding the official HFSS criteria, consumers can make more informed choices, moving beyond personal bias and marketing campaigns towards healthier eating habits. The UK government's approach represents a concerted effort to reshape the food environment and improve public health outcomes.

An official government blog on the advertising ban provides further details on the HFSS regulations and the product categories affected.

Frequently Asked Questions

HFSS stands for High in Fat, Salt, and Sugar. It is the official UK government classification for foods considered less healthy, based on the Nutrient Profile Model.

A product must fall into one of the 13 categories and meet a 'less healthy' score on the Nutrient Profile Model. Some seemingly healthy foods, particularly if sweetened or processed, can score poorly and be classed as HFSS.

The rules cover 13 categories, including soft drinks, savoury snacks, breakfast cereals, cakes, biscuits, pizzas, and ready meals.

It's a scoring system that weighs 'negative' nutrients like calories, saturated fat, and sugar against 'positive' ones such as protein and fibre. A higher final score indicates a less healthy, HFSS product.

Yes. HFSS food adverts are banned on TV before 9pm and for paid online advertising. Restrictions also apply to in-store placement and promotions like 'buy one get one free'.

No. The Food Standards Agency clarifies that while some ultra-processed foods are HFSS, many processed foods are not. The HFSS classification depends specifically on the product's nutritional profile and category.

To be certain, you would need to know its score on the Nutrient Profile Model. However, checking labels for high fat, sugar, or salt content and noting if it falls into one of the 13 restricted categories is a good indicator.