Two UK food organizations are calling on the ingredients industry to help them create a database of sugar substitutes and healthier alternative ingredients as part of a public health drive in Britain to drive down obesity.

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and the British Retail Consortium (BRC) are asking ingredients manufacturers, product specialists, researchers and innovators to get involved.

Both the FDF and BRC want to see ingredient companies submit details of sugar alternative ingredients and products that may help companies reformulate.

The call to action comes ahead of the new sugar levy which is due to come into force in the UK next year as Britain joins a growing list of countries legislating against sugar by introducing so-called “sugar taxes.”

Previously, Public Health England has published guidelines on sugar reduction which led to the UK Government laying out its ambitions in the Childhood Obesity Plan. The target is to reduce sugars by 20 percent.

The organizations are looking for ingredients that will help sugar reduction while enabling companies to maintain product quality, taste, product safety and shelf life.

The BRC and the FDF will use the information to create a list of manufacturers and retailers in order to further support sugar reduction efforts across the food and drink industry.

“Improving the composition of products is a top priority for retailers. A lot of work is currently underway to reduce sugar. We are putting a call out for any information on technical solutions and alternatives to sugar, to help retailers deliver tasty but more wholesome products,” says Andrea Martinez-Inchausti, Deputy Director Food Policy at the BRC.

Kate Halliwell, Nutrition and Health Manager at the FDF adds how all members are committed to playing their part in the fight against obesity.

“The food and drink industry has been on a positive journey for a number of years and this joint initiative with the BRC is the latest stage in the journey,” she says.

“We are confident this initiative will go a long way in supporting retailers and manufacturers in their sugar reduction efforts, leading to significant improvements in public health.”