Scottish government outlines plans for future HFSS restrictions

The Scottish Government has outlined its plans to restrict the promotion of high fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) products in a new consultation published today (1).

In the consultation, the Scottish Government sets out a range of options for the number of categories of product that would be included within the restrictions, as well as the restrictions themselves which fall into two main categories – location restrictions and promotional restrictions.

The Scottish Government’s proposals include restricting the placement of HFSS products in the checkout areas- including self service, end of aisles, front of store, including store entrances and covered outside areas connected to the main shopping area and island/ bin displays.

The proposals also include restricting the promotion for HFSS products in store such as ‘X for Y’ promotions, such as buy one get one free, extra free and 3 for 2 offers, ‘X for £Y’ promotions such as 3 for £2, Temporary price reductions, such as 10 percent off for a limited period, meal deals and unlimited refills for a fixed charge.

The proposals are different to those coming into force in England, which do not include restrictions on meal deals and temporary price reductions, or location restrictions on island/bin displays. They do however closely mirror the proposals currently being considered in Wales.

The consultation does not set out a preferred approach to exemptions from the regulations, instead asking whether the exemption should be based on the number of employees in a business, or the relevant square footage of the store. The regulations in England set out exemption criteria for businesses with fewer than 50 employees, and stores under 2000 sq ft.

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “We remain very concerned about the prospect of slightly different and even more confusing rules on restricting HFSS products and promotional activity in Scotland and Wales compared to England, and will be responding to the consultations in due course to outline the problems that differing HFSS rules will have on our members.”

The full consultation document is available here.