Major UK supermarkets introducing huge change to their stores: Here's what you should know

All supermarkets in the UK, including giants such as ASDA, Aldi, Lidl, Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsburys and the others would have to begin implementing a new law that has just been put in place.

As reported by Manchester Evening News, there is a new ban on stores across the UK which has been imposed by the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC). As per the latest directive, shops cannot display any products high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) in its prominent areas, such as the entrance to the stores or near the tills.

The new ban came into force from October 1 across the UK.

Anti-obesity efforts by the government

Health authorities has been involved in efforts to fight obesity through reducing the consumption of unhealthy foods. But there has been a possibility that these anti-obesity efforts could be axed altogether, after Liz Truss had stated that she might scrap all anti-junk food efforts once elected.

Authorities also had plans to restrict TV advertising of junk foods before the 9pm watershed and to limit paid-for online junk food ads, but these regulations have been paused for now, and would not come into force until January 2024.

Junk food multi-buy ban is delayed for now

Also, even though there have been active plans to ban multi-buy deals on junk food, the ban would not be instated anytime this year. One of the main reasons for the delay is the cost-of-living crisis and the decreased purchasing power of people.

The report quoted Barbara Crowther, co-ordinator of the Children’s Food Campaign, who welcomed the new ban while expressing disappointment in the delay in banning multi-buy offers. She said,

We remain disappointed that the Government has now delayed the junk food multibuy restrictions by 12 months, given they result in people spending 22% more, not less, on impulse bulk purchases of less healthy foods and drinks.

We hope that companies will now use this extra time responsibly to focus their price offers around healthier foods, which would be the best way of supporting families to access healthy food in this cost-of-living crisis.

Sources used:

Manchester Evening News: ‘ ASDA, Tesco, Aldi, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, M&S and Lidl forced to implement national ban that applies to all shoppers’

BBC: ‘ Labour opposes junk food ban as living costs soar’

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