The Food Ethics Council has welcomed the House of Lords Science and Technology Sub-Committee’s report on behaviour change on Tuesday.

The sub-committee found that "nudging" on its own is unlikely to be successful in changing the population’s behaviour.

Among its recommendations, the committee called for more evidence about what measures work to influence population behaviour change and the appointment of an independent Chief Social Scientist to provide them with robust and independent scientific advice

Dr Tom MacMillan, executive director of the Food Ethics Council, said: "Like the sub-committee, we are worried that the coalition government seems to be shedding its regulatory responsibilities in favour of 'nudges'. The available evidence shows that nudge theory can be an effective way to encourage healthier and greener behaviour, but it should complement and enhance traditional approaches to policy, not simply replace them.

"Government must show that it’s willing to step in with regulation and strategic leadership when necessary. Otherwise, it risks undoing all the recent good work we’ve seen happen in public health and sustainability."

Committee chair Baroness Neuberger, said: “There are all manner of things that the government want us to do - lose weight, give up smoking, use the car less, give blood - but how can they get us to do them? It won’t be easy and this inquiry has shown that it certainly won't be achieved through using 'nudges', or any other sort of intervention, in isolation.

She added: “Behaviour change interventions are nothing new. Governments have tried to change our behaviour before - through legislation, marketing campaigns and even 'nudges', for example rumble strips on the road to get us to drive more slowly.”