Radical with Amol Rajan How Can Families Limit the Ultra‑Processed Foods Their Kids Eat? (Your Radical Questions with Thomasina Miers)
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Mar 2, 2026 
Thomasina Miers, MasterChef winner and founder of Wahaca, campaigns on food education and policy. She debates taxing ultra‑processed foods and using funds to help low‑income families. She argues for cooking in schools, practical hospitality careers and fun family cooking tips. She also discusses making kids’ menus healthier and even the curious charm of worm salt and insect-based flavors.
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Tax Ultra‑Processed Foods And Hypothecate Revenue
- Do introduce hypothecated health levies on ultra-processed foods and use the revenue to subsidise healthy food for low-income households.
- Thomasina cites the UK sugar levy as an effective precedent and argues recycled tax money can offset regressivity.
Restaurants As Social Canteens And Career Elevators
- See restaurants as social infrastructure that can raise national food standards and job status.
- Thomasina compares UK policy unfavourably with Spain, Italy and Portugal where low VAT and dining culture normalise healthy food and hospitality careers.
How A Brazilian Chef Transformed A Special Needs School
- A headteacher hired a trained Brazilian chef and transformed eating for autistic pupils by improving taste, texture and presentation.
- Thomasina credits this example as the genesis of Chefs in Schools and a model for SEND interventions.