This weekend the government announced a further delay to restrictions on multi-buy price promotions on foods high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS).
The government had committed to restrict ‘buy one get one free’ deals on HFSS foods in its 2021 obesity strategy. The policy had already been subject to a delay until October 2023. The announcement this weekend extends that delay until October 2025.
Dr Sarah Clarke, president of the Royal College of Physicians, said:
"Obesity is a complex condition and the second biggest cause of cancer. More than one in three children now leave primary school with obesity. This problem is caused by a range of factors including unhealthy environments and not just down to personal responsibility. It will not just go away.
"Research shows that buy one get one free deals do not save money, they encourage people to spend more. To address this health crisis, which currently costs the NHS £6 billion a year, the Government must press on and bring in its policy on multi-buy price promotions.”
