Junk food deals ban to cut intake by just 7 calories

BANNING two-for-one deals on junk food will only save us seven calories a day, the Government has admitted.

Ministers are considering restricting so-called multi-buy offers as part of measures to tackle obesity.

The ban would apply to hundreds of everyday items considered high in sugar, salt or fat, such as cakes and pizza.

But the Department of Health’s analysis has found the ban will have only a minor effect on calorie consumption.

An average man, aged 19 to 64, will only see his intake fall by seven calories a day while women in the same age group will only consume six calories less.

A boy, aged 11 to 18, will cut his intake by six calories while a similarly aged girl will reduce theirs by eight a day.

An average woman needs 2,000 calories a day while a man requires 2,500. Someone trying to lose weight should eat 500 fewer calories daily.

The Department of Health has launched a consultation into the proposal which is expected to conclude this spring.

Christopher Snowden, of the Institute of Economic Affairs think-tank, said: ‘This is a policy which is going to shortchange consumers.

‘The Government’s own impact shows that the likely effect on calorie intake will be negligible.’