<h1>UK government partners with supermarkets to tackle obesity through flexible health standards and calorie reduction targets</h1> The UK government announced a partnership with supermarkets and food retailers to combat obesity rates that have doubled since the 1990s and cost the NHS lb11 billion annually. The initiative allows large retailers flexibility to meet new health standards through product reformulation, store layout changes, healthy food discounts, or modified loyalty programs. Officials state that reducing daily calorie intake by 50-200 calories could significantly impact obesity rates, with over one-fifth of primary school children currently living with obesity. The policy requires major food businesses to report healthy food sales data and aims to create accountability while supporting economic growth in the food sector.