Ban on snack deals will add 30 minutes to your weekly shop
A CRACKDOWN on supermarket snack promotions would add half an hour to the family shop, business leaders are warning.
Shoppers will be forced to ‘scour the shelves’ for price drops, instead of being drawn to eye-catching promotions.
Ministers want to ban deals on all snack foods that are high in sugar, fat or salt – such as cakes, crisps and chocolate.
Stores could still run temporary price drops but would not be able to promote them in the way they do now – such as with brightly coloured stickers on the shelves.
Instead, the price would be displayed alongside the item. Firms could no longer run twofor-one deals – but could halve the price of snacks instead.
The proposals are part of the Scottish Government’s drive to cut the amount of unhealthy food people consume.
But the Food and Drink Federation Scotland said it would force people to spend more time seeking out deals.
Its chief executive David Thomson said: ‘We are deeply disappointed the Scottish Government is pressing ahead with legislation to restrict food promotions – especially since there is no evidence of the effectiveness of these measures in tackling obesity.
‘The promotion to adults of all foods is a fundamental commercial freedom. It underpins the healthy, vibrant and innovative market for food and drink that shoppers love.
‘They allow new products and brands to win space on supermarket shelves and help new food and drink products to get shoppers’ attention.
‘If the Scottish Government gets its way, the supermarket won’t even be allowed to point out where you can get a bargain. It might add half an hour to your shop as you scour the shelves and try to work out if something is cheaper than it was last week. This is a bizarre public health policy.’
The proposals form part of the Government’s drive to tackle the obesity crisis facing the country. Two thirds of adults and 29 per cent of children are now overweight or obese.
The foods targeted in the Scottish Government consultation are part of its new diet and weight strategy.
They are known as ‘discretionary’ because they are not needed for a healthy diet and should only be eaten ‘occasionally and in small amounts’.
But 20 per cent of all calories and fat, and 50 per cent of sugar, eaten in Scotland comes from these treats. An average sevenyear-old will eat more than their bodyweight in them every year.
Gregor McNie, Cancer Research UK’s head of external affairs in Scotland, welcomed the move. He said: ‘Excess weight is Scotland’s biggest preventable cause of cancer after smoking and so it’s clear the Scottish Government really must take action.
‘Introducing laws to restrict harmful price promotions would be one of the most effective ways to help families shop more healthily.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We want to make it easier for people to make healthier choices and reduce the harm to their health caused by poor diet and excess weight.’