Advertising bans and portion size limits could be coming soon

Supermarket mega deals and daytime television advertising for junk food would be banned under proposals put forward by the Scottish Government.

Ministers are looking at a radical clampdown on unhealthy diets in their draft obesity strategy, which is out for consultation.

Public health minister Aileen Campbell said it will encourage people to make healthier choices.

“This includes a range of measures to change the food environment and improve children’s diets, such as rebalancing promotion of products high in fat, sugar and salt, and tackling advertising before the 9pm watershed – as well as offering advice and support to parents on healthy food, healthy weight and healthy eating patterns, starting pre-pregnancy,” she said.

However, the proposals have raised fears from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in Scotland, which warned of the “huge implications” for independent food businesses already facing “spiralling overheads and challenging competition”.

The proposals include: Portion size limits and calorie caps for restaurants, cafes, takeaways, cinemas and more informal outlets

Compulsory nutrition and diet labelling for food, which could be extended to small businesses such as burger vans

Banning broadcast advertising of bad foods before a 9pm watershed, which would require powers to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament

Named persons to help families with “healthy eating, portion control and mealtime behaviours”

Scotland to become the world’s first Daily Mile nation, with pupils, students and workers taking part in 15 minutes of exercise a day

The consultation runs until January 31. Visit consult.gov.scot to comment.

Picture: Angus Findlay. Youngsters enjoying themselves and keeping fit at Active Kids, something health bosses want to see more of.

Picture: Getty Images. Burger vans may have to display the nutritional information of the food they serve under new proposals.