BOGOF ban scrapped to tackle rising cost of living
THE ban on ‘buy one, get one free’ (BOGOF) deals for unhealthy foods has been delayed by a year to help families struggling with the cost of living crisis.
Plans to introduce a 9pm watershed for junk food advertising have also been postponed and could be ditched altogether pending a consultation.
But the U-turn was quickly condemned by health campaigners and obesity experts who accused Boris Johnson of ‘playing politics’ with children’s health.
The Prime Minister announced a crackdown on Britain’s bulging waistlines in 2020 after his battle with coronavirus which he admitted was exacerbated by being overweight.
But he has since acknowledged that the policy had ‘nanny state’ overtones and has come under pressure from ministers to ditch it in light of the cost of living crisis.
The curbs on BOGOF and three-for-two deals on unhealthy food – as well as restrictions on free refills for soft drinks – were due to come into force in October.
Under the plans, junk food giants were also to be banned from advertising online and on TV before 9pm from January next year.
But the Department for Health last night announced that it would delay the plans to allow ministers to ‘review and monitor’ the impact of the restrictions on the cost of living.
However, rules banning unhealthy foods from being promoted in key areas of shops, like checkouts and aisle ends, will still come into force that month.
Public health minister Maggie Throup said: ‘We’re committed to doing everything we can to help people live healthier lives. Pausing restrictions on deals like “buy one get one free” will allow us to understand its impact on consumers in light of an unprecedented global economic situation.’
The announcement was welcomed by the Food and Drink Federation, which said it would give them more time to prepare for the change in law.
Kate Halliwell, the body’s chief scientific officer, said: ‘At a time when both families and our manufacturers are struggling with high inflation, it makes sense to delay the restrictions on volume promotions as it risked further stretching already pressed household budgets.’
However, the move was heavily criticised by obesity experts last night. Professor Rachel Batterham, from University College London, said the U-turn was ‘incredibly disappointing’.
She added: ‘Many have cited the cost of living crisis as a reason to keep buy one get one free deals but research is clear – they do not save us money, they simply encourage us to spend more of it.
‘Delaying the 9pm watershed for advertising unhealthy foods will leave our children vulnerable to developing long-term unhealthy eating habits.’
Caroline Cerny, from the Obesity Health Alliance, said: ‘This is a shocking Uturn by the Government that will have severe ramifications for children’s health and fatally undermine any further efforts to address health disparities.
‘Child obesity is at a devastating all-time high and research shows restricting junk food adverts on TV alone would significantly reduce the number of children with excess weight.’
Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, added: ‘These measures would help create a healthier food environment and reduce obesity – the second biggest preventable cause of cancer. Claims that these delays will help address the cost of living crisis are grossly misleading.’
Urging the Government to reconsider its decision, she added: ‘These marketing pressures add up – both financially and in terms of weight gain.’
Barbara Crowther, of the Children’s Food Campaign, said that the delay could threaten the UK’s target to halve childhood obesity by 2030. She added: ‘Boris is playing politics with our children’s health.’
‘Playing politics with health’