Our Research
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.
How far can we trust the food giants with planetary health?
It’s not just child health that is at risk. Big food companies are using the same playbook to dodge accountability on the health of the planet. And it is having a massive impact. In 2022, these same 10 food companies had a collective total of 477 million tonnes of global greenhouse gas emissions – this is more than the whole of the UK’s emissions in the same year! Published September 2024
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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