Snackdown: New laws limiting shop sales of pizza, chocolate, ready meals and breakfast cereal will tackle obesity, says Health Minister
Strict crackdown limits that would end “three for two” deals and other price discounts on unhealthy food are being floated as part of a Stormont move to tackle obesity.
A consultation launched today could see new laws on the price and promotion of food and drink that’s high in fat, sugar and salt, such as a ban on putting snacks within easy reach of kids in shops.
Items that could fall under the ‘snackdown’ restrictions range from pizza, crisps and ready meals to chocolate, sweets and ice cream – and even yoghurt and breakfast cereals.
The legislation is part of an attempt to stop people picking up snacks as impulse buys and has been welcomed by the Northern Ireland wing of the British Heart Foundation (BHF), who praised the move as protection from “an unhealthy food environment that encourages overconsumption” and contributes to obesity.
Announced today by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, the suggested measures would ban shops from placing unhealthy snacks close to entrances, as well as at tills including in queueing areas, and at the ends of aisles.
Similar restrictions would apply to internet stores as well, blocking junk food adverts on homepages of websites and outlawing pop-up ads or notifications at online shopping baskets and checkouts.
And eateries would be barred from serving ‘bottomless refills’ of sugar-sweetened soft drinks.
The rules would mainly apply to larger stores and supermarkets; businesses with fewer than 50 employees will be completely exempt, while stores with less than 2,000 square feet of floor area won’t have to obey the restrictions on where goods can be placed, even if 50 or more people are on their staff.
Breaches of the legislation could be dealt with by issuing fines to stores, though repeat offenders could face criminal prosecution, consultation documents say.
The suggested rules mirror limits introduced in Scotland, England and Wales last year. Those measures were initially meant to be brought in much earlier, but were delayed due to concerns about their impact as the cost of living crisis rolled on.
Under current plans, bakery and deli goods sold loose would be excluded from the laws.
Officials in Stormont’s Department of Health describe obesity as “one of the biggest public health challenges facing Northern Ireland”, with 65% of adults either obese or overweight.
The new move is particularly being targeted at products that appeal to kids, however, due to concerns about childhood obesity flagged by Westminster officials when putting together legislation in Britain.
Announcing a public consultation on the measures today, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said a “key area of focus” for him is prevention.
“Evidence shows us that multibuy offers and positioning of certain unhealthy products in shops significantly increase purchasing of food and drinks which are high in fat, sugar and salt,” he stated. “This can lead to a higher chance of obesity and being overweight, which can in turn increase the risk of serious health conditions.
“While we all have a responsibility to look after our own health, these proposed measures aim to create conditions that support individuals in making healthier choices.”
The BHF’s Liam Duggan called for “decisive action” from Stormont to bring in the laws, stating: “Anything less is unacceptable.”
He added: “Price promotion legislation is just one action, more needs to be done.”