Tesco chief commerical officer Ashwin Prasad has praised the impact of changes including the removal of high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) multibuy promotions as over half a million customers shopping baskets have become healthier since 2021.
Prasad has also commended the roll out of signposting for healthier items and product reformulation to help shoppers make heathier choices.
He said: “The UK has record levels of obesity which is having a huge impact on the NHS and our wider economy, as well as jeopardising the long-term health and prospects of the next generation.
“At Tesco we have seen what’s possible when we create the conditions and incentives to help people to fill their baskets with products that are healthier and more sustainable, but still affordable. I’m encouraged by the progress so far and look forward to even greater collaboration with our suppliers and partners as we work towards our 2025 goal.”
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According to data published by the leading retailer today, 3.3m people purchased at least 10% more healthy products in 2022 compared to 2021, and a reformulation programme has removed 71bn calories from Tesco own-brand products.
Tesco has also grouped products together in store that are higher fibre or lower in sugar and calories, which has driven a 12% increase in year-on-year sales volumes and a digital ‘Better Baskets’ hub has seen 80% of the grocer’s online customers add at least one additional healthy item to their basket.
The comments from Prasad come a year after the government first introduced legislation banning HFSS products from store entrances, gondola ends or checkouts in a bid to limit obesity levels in England.
Tesco has since set itself a healthy sales target of 65% by 2025 and in the past year, it has reported sales volumes of low and no sugar up by 11%.
Sales of healthy snacking crisps have grown by more than half and sales volumes of new and reformulated healthier biscuits have risen by 8%.
