Our Research

Barakat is a young black woman with a curly afro. She is wearing a cream shirt and sat at a desk with a pen in her hand, as she looks sideways to the person next to her and smiles

We gather insights from young people, and commission detailed research to reveal – in black and white – just how unfairly the system is stacked against us. But we’re not just here to moan about it – our reports are also packed with practical solutions.

A young person is holding their phone to take a photo of a large billboard in London, the billboard reads Young Activists Bought This Ad Space So The Junk Food Giants Couldn't. We're Giving Kids A hashtag Commercial Break

Are food giants bombarding young people on our streets?

Big food companies spend millions every year on marketing designed to do one simple thing — ensure their products are centre stage in our minds. Our latest research reveals how deep junk food advertising is embedded in our streets — and how it hits the poorest communities the hardest. Published April 2025.

Bite Back activist Maria in front of KFC

Are big food chains growing responsibly and looking out for our health?

Big food chains are marching into communities, flooding our high streets and popping up next to more schools. This has big implications for young people’s health. The ten biggest food chains that appeal to young people have grown in number of outlets by 59% between 2014-2024. Published December 2024.

Two Bite Back activists with protective masks and apron sit in a field holding up a home-made protest style sign that says 'Big Food we are watching"

How far can we trust the food giants with planetary health and child health?

Child health isn't the only concern. Big food firms avoid responsibility for the planet's health, causing significant impact. In 2022, top 10 food companies emitted 477M tonnes of greenhouse gases — exceeding UK's total emissions for the year. Published September 2024.

A young blonde woman and a brown skinned man with cropped black hair are sat on a bench in a train station. They are wearing black Bite Back hoodies and are holding up unhealthy products with child-appealing marketing on them.

Are food giants using child-appealing tactics responsibly?

Packaging is powerful. We took a look at the portfolios of the biggest global food companies operating in the UK and found 78% of their food products that use packaging to appeal to children are classed as unhealthy. Published May 2024.

Two young men are stood in front of a Digi Van that displays a poster saying 'junk food has us surrounded'.

Are food giants rigging the system against child health?

We set out to find out the truth about the impact big food companies have on child health. The majority of the biggest food and drink manufacturers — 7 out of 10 to be exact — are reliant on selling unhealthy products in the UK. Published February 2024.

Three activists strolling past a bus stop featuring a large advert for a collaboration between Burger King and Doritos displaying a burger, large soft drinks and chicken fries.

Overwhelming and Inescapable — Junk Food in Greater Manchester

We took to the streets of Greater Manchester to find out how much big food companies are bombarding us with adverts for unhealthy products. No surprise — it's everywhere! Published January 2024

A Red Card For Junk Food — Sports Sponsorship In Football

We uncover just some of the ways food and drink companies target young people through sports marketing. Through the eyes of young sports fans, we explore how less healthy products are often associated with sports, with a particular focus on football — the nation’s most popular sport. Published May 2023.

A collage displaying junk food advertising

Enticing, Effective and Everywhere

We unpack the impact of less healthy food and drink advertising. Food and drink companies spend millions each year on marketing techniques that put junk food firmly in the spotlight. A third of 1,000 teens we spoke to said that after seeing an ad for a less healthy product, they’d buy it the next chance they got. Published May 2023.

More Than A Meal

We reveal why free school meals are more than just a meal for those who need them. This report explores young people’s experiences of free school meals, and puts the spotlight on people who really need access, but sadly don’t meet the hugely restrictive criteria. Published February 2022.

A group of young activists in white t-shirts standing in front of the Kellogg's head office holding signs saying things like #DHWI and Don't Hide What's Inside. The Kellogg's logo with the rooster is framing them from behind.

Don't Hide What's Inside

We put the spotlight, on misleading health and nutrition claims on packaging of products that were high in either salt, saturated fat or sugar, and would get a red traffic light label. These marketing tactics work: half of the 1,000 teens we spoke to say such health claims are convincing. Published October 2021.

Spill The Beans

We share the real and hard truth about Britain's school food, from the people who really matter — us. Bite Back’s Youth Board spoke to young people aged 13–18 from all across the country about their experiences. Published September 2021.

Young activist Dev sitting on a purple chair with wooden legs. He is brown skinned with short cropped black hair and brown eyes, wearing a maroon jumper and beige pants.

Our Junk Food Marketing Exposé

We expose the secretive online strategies that global food giants use to manipulate us. Our findings show the shocking truth that every second, almost 500 online junk food ads are shown to UK children. Published February 2021.

Feed Britain Better

This report explores the impact of Covid-19 on teen eating habits. Drawing on extensive research by a powerful coalition of organisations, we present the change we want to see, and a suggested route to a healthier future. Published October 2020.

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