The HFSS ‘junk food’ restrictions will be going ahead from this Saturday 1 October, despite health campaigners’ fears surrounding recent reports of a possible government U-turn.
National supermarkets and local independent stores alike have been preparing for the introduction of HFSS advertising and marketing restrictions that will be imposed this weekend, despite speculation that Truss could reverse the decision at any moment.
There had been reports the HFSS plans could have been scrapped this week, despite supermarket bosses warning of the huge investment they had already made in creating new HFSS-compliant layouts and merchandising.
However, the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) has now confirmed that a ban on displaying products high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) in prominent locations will come into force on Saturday 1 October.
Retailers have already spent millions on new store layouts that conform to the new HFSS rules, which will mean that products including chocolate bars, crisps and fizzy drinks can no longer promoted be in key locations, such as till areas, store entrances, aisle ends and any online equivalents.
The move is a key part of the government’s commitment to reduce obesity and will be bolstered by a ban on HFSS multibuy offers, including bogofs, which will be coming into force from October next year.
“Today’s announcement means that the ban on location promotions that is due to come in on Saturday does go ahead and whilst we would have liked both sets of promotions to have been outlawed at the same time, that is good news considering the reports,” said director of the Children’s Health Campaign, Barbara Crowther.
FDF CEO Karen Betts said: “The implementation of the delay to the ban on volume promotions is welcome news, including for hard-pressed shoppers at a time of rapid food price inflation.
“Our industry looks forward to continuing to work with government to help tackle obesity and poor diets. Food and drink businesses know we play a critical role in this, and we have worked hard over many years to redevelop the recipes of our products to make them healthier while retaining their delicious flavours.
ACS CEO James Lowman said that local shops have spent lots of to refurbish their stores to comply with these regulations, “when their businesses are already under pressure from rising energy bills and increased products costs,” he said.
Lowman added: “Retailers have been frustrated by the government’s rushed approached to policy development and indecision about implementation dates.”
