Great British food scandal

Half of the foods in our diet can lead to strokes & heart attacks. But people can't even buy fresh produce in many of the poorest areas

- MARTIN BAGOT Health Editor and NATASHA WYNARCZYK

MORE than half of the British diet is linked to heart attacks and strokes, experts warn.

A review of ultra-processed food, high in salt and sugar and used in many popular snacks, found they increase the risks of cardiovascular disease by 24%.

It comes as the Mirror reveals healthy fresh produce is almost impossible to find in poorer areas.

Former food tsar Henry Dimbleby said: "This should be a wake-up call. If we do nothing a tidal wave of harm will hit the NHS. Britain is particularly bad for ultra-processed food.

"If there is something inherent in the processing of foods that is harmful, then that is a disaster.