If you’re going food shopping this weekend, you may notice some changes at your supermarket as new rules come into force.
The Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed that limits on where unhealthy food can be placed in shops will be introduced across England on October 1. These new restrictions mean that products high in fat, salt or sugar can no longer be displayed in prominent locations such as at store entrances, aisle ends and checkouts.
The rules will also be enforced on the equivalent high-traffic spots on food shopping websites. The move is part of the Government’s commitment to reduce obesity levels and could be followed by further measures next year, WalesOnline reports .
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The Government delayed a planned ban on multibuy deals on unhealthy foods and drinks, including Buy One Get One Free, in response to households struggling amid increasing cost of living pressures. They also confirmed that plans to ban junk food adverts on TV before the 9pm watershed, as well paid-for adverts online, have been pushed back.
The multibuy ban was due to come into force in October 2023 followed by the advertising restrictions in January 2024, according to the latest update from the Department of Health and Social Care- but it’s unclear whether these plans will go ahead under the new premiership with reports that Liz Truss could scrap the curbs.
Association of Convenience Stores chief executive James Lowman said: “Local shops have sunk huge sums of money in refitting their stores to comply with these regulations when their businesses are already under pressure from rising energy bills and increased products costs. Retailers have been frustrated by the Government’s rushed approach to policy development and indecision about implementation dates.”
Barbara Crowther, co-ordinator of the Children’s Food Campaign, said: “We remain disappointed that the Government has now delayed the junk food multibuy restrictions by 12 months, given they result in people spending 22% more, not less, on impulse bulk purchases of less healthy foods and drinks. We hope that companies will now use this extra time responsibly to focus their price offers around healthier foods, which would be the best way of supporting families to access healthy food in this cost-of-living crisis.”
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