Salt and sugar tax proposals slammed by LBC radio caller
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New supermarket rules are set to come into effect from October 2022, the Government has confirmed. It follows the news of the possible introduction of a new salt and sugar tax.
From October next year, the junk food section in all major supermarkets across the UK will change.
Customers will no longer be able to get money off sweets and chocolate bars.
This means the buy one get one free offers that are currently available in some supermarkets, such as Tesco, will no longer exist.
This measure was supposed to be implemented in April this year, but it has been delayed by six months.
Earlier this year, Public Health Minister Jo Churchill confirmed the delay to “allow businesses enough time to prepare” for the change.
The move will come into effect in supermarkets in England only.
It is part of the Government’s bid to “tackle obesity and get the nation fit and healthy”.
Multibuy offers on sugary products will be banned, including buy one get one free or three for two offers.
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As well as a complete ban on these kinds of deals, supermarkets will be forced to remove other less-healthy promotions from key spots in stores, such as near checkouts, store entranced, and aisle ends.
Ms Churchill said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has brought into sharp focus the impact that an unhealthy weight can have on people’s health.
“We know families want the healthy choice to be the easy choice, and restricting promotions on unhealthy foods will help them achieve this.
“We want to support everyone to eat healthier foods more regularly and this starts with helping supermarkets and manufacturers promote healthier food choices which are lower or free from [fat, salt and sugar] to support families to make healthier choices.”
The Public Health Minister added: “These restrictions will come into force from October 2022. I look forward to working together with everyone to ensure that for families a healthy option is the easy option when shopping.”
Supermarkets will not be the only ones affected by the Government’s changes next year.
Also from October 2022, restaurants will no longer be permitted to offer customers free refills on sugary drinks.
Refill stations in popular chains such as Nando’s will be removed to encourage Britons to opt for healthier drinks.
The news of the supermarket and restaurant changes come at the same time as the Government’s announcement of a possible salt and sugar tax.
The new tax will increase the prices of some products by up to 40 percent.
It could see the cost of a Mars bar increase by 7p and the price of a Dairy Milk chocolate bar rise to 68p instead of 60p.
Salt and Vinegar Pringles could go up from £2.50 to £2.53.
The Government is currently discussing the implementation of the potential tax following the release of a study entitled the National Food Strategy, led by adviser Henry Dimbleby.
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