Retailers are calling on the government to shift its focus onto local takeaways amid concerns that unhealthy portions are adding to Britain’s obesity levels.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) is urging for more fast food outlets to be targeted after it said many businesses have been going unnoticed in the process of looking to better tackle the nation’s health, The Telegraph reported.
Since 1 October 2022, UK supermarkets have been subject to regulations on high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) products, with these items banned from store entrances, gondola ends and checkouts, which has so far resulted in a decline in chocolate consumption.
However, the group said that the government needs to also clamp down on local takeaways, which can have menu items containing more than double a person’s maximum daily salt intake but are not required to provide calorie information.
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BRC director of food and sustainability Andrew Opie said: “Many takeaway establishments are actually not part of a bigger chain.
“At least larger food takeaways now have to display calories. But your local chicken shop, they are not engaging in these areas.”
He explained that a “very narrow part of the food industry” is currently subject to specific legislation which looks to tackle obesity levels.
While he acknowledged that there will be “more challenges for some smaller food businesses,” he added, “that in itself shouldn’t be an excuse not to be included”.
Opie said the government “needs to give support to small and medium businesses to help them on their choices so around how much oils or salt are in something, or the sizes of portions”.
Late last year, Tesco chief commercial officer Ashwin Prasad praised the impact of changes in the supermarket giant’s stores, including the removal of HFSS multibuy promotions, as over half a million customers shopping baskets have become healthier since 2021.
According to the retailer, 3.3m people purchased at least 10% more healthy products in 2022 compared to 2021, and a reformulation programme removed 71bn calories from Tesco own-brand products.
