Our response to UK Government consultation on introducing further advertising restrictions on TV and online for HFSS products: secondary legislation

The UK Government is holding a consultation on its secondary legislation for restricting TV and online advertising of products high in fat, salt and sugar. As part of implementing the restrictions, the UK Government will bring forward secondary legislation covering the following areas - definition of products in scope of the advertising restrictions, defining small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for the purposes of exemptions, defining services connected to regulated radio, and whether there should be an exemption for audio-only content.

The consultation is seeking views on the draft regulations, covering these areas.

In our response, we highlight that the nutrient profile model should continue to be used as the mechanism through which to identify which products should be subject to restrictions, and we welcome that the proposals cover both the retail and out of home sectors. We express concern that SMEs are exempted from the proposed regulations and that there is lack of clarity with regards to radio and audio-only advertising that needs to be addressed. Across all areas, it is important that the regulations include a mechanism for the scope of the restrictions to be formally reviewed and revised to keep up to date with emerging evidence and practice.