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(CNN) – The food and drink industry has warned of “devastating” results for consumers and businesses if the UK government moves forward with plans to restrict the way supermarkets sell and advertise chocolate, soft drinks and other high-sugar foods, salt and fat as part of a broader drive to tackle obesity.
The new rules will apply to retailers in England with more than 50 employees and are due to take effect in April 2022, the Department of Health and Welfare said in a statement on Monday. Stores less than 2,000 square feet and specialty retailers, such as chocolate and confectionery stores, will be exempt from some of the restrictions.
Unhealthy food deals that require shoppers to purchase more items to take advantage of the discount, such as “buy one get one free” or “3 for 2” promotions, will be prohibited in stores and online. The limitations extend beyond chocolates, sodas, candy, and French fries to pastries, breakfast cereals, pizzas, ready meals, and battered items such as breaded chicken and fish.
Unhealthy promotions will no longer be allowed at “key locations” such as checkout counters, store entrances and at the end of aisles. The free refill of sugary soft drinks in restaurants will also be prohibited.
The new measures will ensure that “the healthy option is the easy option,” Public Health Minister Jo Churchill said in the statement. “Creating an environment that helps everyone eat healthier food more regularly is crucial to improving the health of the nation,” he added.
But the Food and Beverage Federation, which represents manufacturers, said the policy will have “harsh economic impacts” for producers and consumers.
“The proposed restrictions will not only increase the cost of food for families, but will have strong economic impacts for food and beverage manufacturers that are already preparing for the new costs of Brexit and the repercussions of the global pandemic,” he said COO Tim. Rycroft said in a statement.
The restrictions are the government’s latest attempt to tackle Britain’s obesity rates, which are among the highest in the world, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Britain introduced restrictions on television advertising of unhealthy food for children in 2007 and implemented a tax on sugary soft drinks in 2018. Earlier this year, it launched a new campaign to tackle obesity, including proposals to require restaurants They add calorie labels to menu items.
“Today’s announcement forms a key part of the government’s strategy to address obesity and keep the nation fit and healthy,” the Department of Health and Social Care said Monday, adding that the pandemic has highlighted the impact. that obesity can have on people’s health outcomes.
Studies have shown that being overweight or obese increases the risk of hospitalization and death from Covid-19.
Almost two-thirds of adults in England are overweight and one in three children drop out of primary school overweight or obese, according to the government, which said obesity-related diseases cost the National Health Service £ 6 billion ($ 8.1 billion) per year.
“Promotions often seem to help shoppers save money, yet data shows that these deals actually increase purchases of promoted products by nearly 20% by encouraging people to buy more than they need or want. buy first, “he added.
This story was first published on CNN.com. England is finding new ways to end unhealthy food
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