The Impact of ‘Food Addiction’ on Food Policy

As research on food and addiction evolves, it is important to consider how evidence for the addictive potential of certain foods could change public support for various food policies designed to promote healthier choices. We draw lessons from the framing of addiction in the contexts of tobacco and alcohol to discuss how an addiction frame for food might influence public perceptions and support for specific policies. We then evaluate the regulatory landscape in tobacco and alcohol control to determine which policies may be effective to protect the public against foods that may be harmful. We highlight several viable policy options that could be implemented to protect public health from unhealthy food, even in the absence of a strong scientific foundation that such food is also addictive. © 2014, Springer International Publishing AG.