Britain’s decision to further delay rules banning multi-buy deals on food and drinks high in fat, salt, or sugar (HFSS) has dismayed health campaigners who say it will not help families trying to save money.
The UK government said on Saturday that rules banning multi-buy deals on HFSS foods and drinks, including buy one get one free (BOGOF) deals, will be delayed until October 2025, having already been delayed until October this year.
The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that the government will continue to review the impact of the restrictions on consumers and businesses: “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,”
However, John Maingay, director of policy at the British Heart Foundation, said multi-buy deals led people to spend more money and eat 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.”
Most major supermarkets, including market leaders Tesco and Sainsbury’s, have moved away from multi-buy deals in recent years, aiming instead to keep prices on essential products low by matching those available at discounters Aldi or Lidl, and via promotions on loyalty cards.
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