The Scottish Government is committed to action to restrict the promotion of HFSS food and drink products. In February 2024, the Scottish Government launched their latest consultation on proposed regulations to restrict price and location promotions of products high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS). The findings of this study offer critical evidence on the proposals in the consultation.
We visited five local supermarkets (A, B, C, D & E) in Glasgow city centre in July 2023. Each supermarket belongs to a different national supermarket chain. Each store was visited twice – once for primary data collection and once for quality control purposes.
Key findings included:
The study demonstrates that regulations to restrict promotions of unhealthy products could reduce people's exposure to in-store promotions and negative nudges to purchase. Such policies would also help to create a level playing field for retailers, helping to make sure that those who decide to promote healthier products are not disadvantaged financially, while all are encouraged to adjust to business models that promote essential and nutritious food and drink.
Obesity Action Scotland therefore recommends and calls on the Scottish Government to take bold and urgent policy action by comprehensively regulating all forms of promotions of unhealthy food and drink products. The more comprehensive the curbs on unhealthy promotions, the lower the likelihood that food industry would switch between promotion types, and the greater the potential benefit to the diet of the population.