LONDON (Reuters) – UK to ban ‘buy one get one free’ promotions for high-fat, sugar or salt-free foods and free refills of sugar-cooled restaurants in April 2022, the government said on Monday, its latest step in the plan to combat obesity and improve public health.
The government says obesity is one of the biggest long-term public health problems in the UK, with almost two-thirds of overweight adults in England and one in three children leaving overweight or obese primary school.
The measures will also restrict where promotions for such products can be promoted in a store, and unhealthy promotions will not be allowed at the entrances, at the entrances to the store or at the ends of the corridors.
“We restrict promotions and introduce a series of measures to ensure that a healthy choice is an easy one. Creating an environment that helps everyone eat healthier food more regularly is crucial to improving the nation’s health, “said Public Health Minister Jo Churchill.
The UK first proposed restricting “buy one get one free” offers in junk food and also announced measures such as banning TV and online ads for junk food before 9pm.
Last month, the government went further and proposed a total ban on online advertising of unhealthy foods.
Overweight has been shown to increase the risk of serious illness or death due to COVID-19 – a fact highlighted by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has spoken publicly about his own need to lose weight since being hospitalized with the disease.
Reported by Alistair Smout, edited by Louise Heavens