Delay in high-sugar promotion ban sparks outrage among UK health campaigners

The decision by the British government to extend the delay on implementing rules that would prohibit multi-buy deals on high-fat, salt, or sugar (HFSS) foods and drinks has generated disappointment among health campaigners.

They argue that this postponement will not contribute to the financial relief of struggling families.

On Saturday (17), the UK government announced that the rules, including the ban on buy one, get one free (BOGOF) deals for HFSS products, will now be postponed until October 2025.

Initially, the policy had already been deferred until October of this year. The government plans to continue assessing the impact of these restrictions on consumers and businesses through ongoing reviews.

"I firmly believe in people’s right to choose – and at a time when household budgets are under continuing pressure from the global rise in food prices, it is not fair for government to restrict the options available to consumers on their weekly shop," Sunak said in a statement.

Britons, worn down by a cost of living crisis into its second year, are facing food inflation of over 19%, according to the most recent official data.

John Maingay, director of policy at the British Heart Foundation, said multi-buy deals lead to people spending more money and eating more junk food.

"The government has said itself in recent weeks how important it is to drive down our high obesity rates – but it won’t achieve this unless it follows its own evidence and implements its own policies," he said.

Katharine Jenner, director of the Obesity Health Alliance, said the latest delay would widen health inequalities.

Most major supermarkets have moved away from multibuy deals in recent years, aiming instead to keep prices on key products low by matching those available at discount groups Aldi or Lidl, and via promotions on loyalty cards.

The government said it remained committed to cutting hospital waiting lists by tackling obesity which costs the national health service (NHS) around 6.5 billion pounds ($8.3 billion) a year.

(Reuters)