Understand
New Scottish supermarket rules restrict promotion and placement of high fat, sugar and salt foods
Overview
The Scottish government has introduced new regulations prohibiting retailers with more than 50 employees from placing foods high in fat, sugar and salt in prominent locations like checkouts and aisle ends. Multi-buy promotions, extra loyalty points, and free offers for these items are also banned both in-store and online, forming part of an initiative to tackle obesity and encourage healthier eating habits.
Key points
- New regulations apply to businesses with more than 50 employees, including supermarkets, convenience stores, and petrol stations.
- Foods high in fat, sugar and salt can no longer be displayed in prominent locations such as entrances, checkouts, and aisle ends.
- Multi-buy offers, volume promotions, and free item deals for restricted products are banned in-store and online.
- Single-item price discounts, such as half-price sales or 'save £1' offers, remain permitted.
- Meal deals and 'dine for two' offers are exempt from the promotion restrictions, though restricted items within them cannot be placed in prime locations.
- The regulations aim to address public health concerns regarding obesity, as two out of three Scottish adults are overweight or obese.