Move to restrict promotions on unhealthy food and drink.
The public is being asked for views on proposals to restrict the
promotion of food and drink high in fat, sugar and salt.
The consultation, which will run for 12 weeks, will outline the
detail of proposed regulations aimed at creating a food
environment which better supports healthier choices.
Proposals include restricting multi-buys, unlimited refills or
selling at locations such as at checkouts and front of store.
Feedback on the proposals will help to inform regulations to be
laid before the Scottish Parliament, subject to the outcome of
the consultation.
Public Health Minister said:
“Improving health and supporting people to eat well and have a
healthy weight is a public health priority. We need to
address the high levels of excess weight, obesity and poor diet
we know are contributing to worsening trends in Scotland’s
health. The association between these issues and health
outcomes such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain
cancers has been established for some time.
“We want to ensure Scotland is a place where we eat well and
have a healthy weight. The Scottish Government is committed to
restricting promotions of foods high in fat, sugar or salt at the
point of purchase as research shows this is when people make
decisions about what and how much to buy, for themselves and
their families.
“This consultation, together with our Diet and Healthy Weight
Delivery Plan, demonstrates the ambitious and wide-ranging action
we believe is needed to address this challenge, and support
improvements in diet and health and wellbeing in Scotland.
“The consultation will run in parallel with an extensive
programme of inclusive stakeholder engagement, to improve the
process of developing, implementing and reviewing regulations to
meet our long-term public health and economic aims.”
Background
The consultation will run for 12
weeks, closing on 21 May 2024.
Partial Business Regulatory
Impact Assessment
The consultation is in line with a statutory requirement to
consult on the detail of changes to food law. It builds on
previous public consultations and Ministerial engagement with
business and health stakeholders, and is supported with a partial
Business Regulatory Impact Assessment.
