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In Scotland, major changes have been implemented in supermarkets and other retail outlets to limit the visibility and promotion of high-fat, high-sugar, and high-salt products. Items such as sugary soft drinks, biscuits, and some breakfast cereals are no longer allowed to occupy prime spots like end-of-aisle displays or entrance areas. This new approach aims to reduce impulse purchases of less healthy foods by restricting their prominence and the discounts associated with them.
The regulations set by the Scottish government apply to businesses with more than 50 employees, covering a broad range of retailers including supermarkets, high street shops, restaurants, pharmacies, petrol stations, and garden centres. These establishments must now avoid placing pre-packaged foods—such as confectionery, sugary drinks, biscuits, and certain cereals—in key locations like checkouts, aisle ends, and queue zones. Additionally, price promotions such as multi-buy offers (for example, “three for two” deals or “buy five and save 20%”) as well as incentives like extra loyalty points for purchasing these products have been banned. Offers that bundle unhealthy items for free alongside other purchases are also prohibited, though standard discounts such as half-price deals remain unaffected. The rules extend to online retailers as well, preventing them from advertising these foods on their homepages.
The range of affected products is extensive, determined by their sugar, salt, or fat content. This includes not only obvious items like chocolate and ice cream but also other products that might be less expected, such as kombucha, seaweed snacks, muesli, and chewing gum, depending on their nutritional profiles. Savoury snacks like crisps and tortilla chips, certain ready-made meals including pizzas, fish fingers, and chicken nuggets, as well as various sweet treats such as doughnuts, flapjacks, and custard desserts also fall under these restrictions. Even some breakfast options like granola and oat-based cereals are included if they meet the criteria.
Meal deals and “dine for two” offers are exempt from these rules; however, any unhealthy food items identified in the regulation cannot be positioned in restricted areas regardless of whether they are part of a meal deal. The broader objective behind these measures is to tackle obesity and promote healthier eating habits throughout Scotland. Public Health Minister Maree Todd emphasized that two-thirds of Scottish adults are overweight or obese, with those in economically disadvantaged communities most affected. She stated, “We know that promotions and prominent product placement can encourage over-consumption and impulse buying of foods with high levels of calories, fat, sugar and salt. By restricting the promotion of less healthy food and drink we can make it easier for people to make healthier choices, improving health and wellbeing, and create a Scotland where everyone eats well and has a healthy weight.
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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