Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Regulate local takeaways to tackle obesity, say retailers

Regulate local takeaways to tackle obesity, say retailers
Getty Images

Retail leaders are calling on the government to shift their attention to fast food outlets and local takeaways in its aim to tackle obesity.

Industry lobby group British Retail Consortium, which represents the country’s largest stores, said swathes of businesses were flying under the radar when it comes to improving the nation’s health. This includes local takeaways, which can have dishes containing more than double a person’s maximum daily salt intake but are not required to provide calorie information.


Andrew Opie, the BRC’s director of food and sustainability, said, “Many takeaway establishments are actually not part of a bigger chain. At least larger food takeaways now have to display calories. But your local chicken shop, they are not engaging in these areas.”

He said providing calorie information “surely needs to be taken as seriously a public health issue as allergen information is and required for all businesses”, The Telegraph reported.

Opie said current legislation around tackling obesity was limited to a “very narrow part of the food industry”, which allowed for smaller cafes, smaller restaurants and cinemas to avoid scrutiny.

The BRC director said, “We understand there will be more challenges for some smaller food businesses, but that in itself shouldn’t be an excuse not to be included.”

He said this could mean that the government “needs to give support to small and medium businesses to help them on their choices so around how much oils or salt are in something, or the sizes of portions”.

The BRC said it would support more obesity regulation if the government believes it will help tackle the issue.

Opie's statement comes amid signs that the UK is struggling to move the dial on the obesity crisis. Estimates suggest around two-thirds of British adults are now overweight or obese, up from half a generation ago. On average, a man now weighs 6kg more than he would in 1993 while the average woman is 5kg heavier.

Furthermore, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) revealed that people were still consuming 50 per cent more fast food than before the pandemic. Research has suggested that some takeaway pizzas contain more than two times the maximum daily salt intake while a cheeseburger contains more than the maximum daily fat intake.

More for you

Glenshire Group appoints Dan Arrandale as property director

Glenshire Group appoints Dan Arrandale as property director

Scottish business conglomerate Glenshire Group has hired Daniel Arrandale as its new Property Director.

Starting in the newly created role last week, Arrandale brings a wealth of industry experience to the business, including his most recent position as Acquisitions Manager for Asda and his previous position as Development Manager at EG Group.

Keep ReadingShow less
Carlsberg Zero
Competition watchdog begins Carlsberg, Britvic merger probe
Competition watchdog begins Carlsberg, Britvic merger probe

Carlsberg shifts marketing focus as drinkers choose cheaper beer

Brewer Carlsberg is shifting some of its marketing focus to cheaper brands, it said on Thursday (31), as consumers in major markets bought cheaper beer and in reduced quantities.

The maker of Kronenbourg 1664, Tuborg and Somersby said beer sales volumes fell by 1.3 per cent in the third quarter, noting declines in China, France and the United Kingdom. Premium sales fell 0.5 per cent in the quarter."In Western Europe, there's no doubt that the average consumer is holding back," CEO Jacob Aarup-Andersen told Reuters.

Keep ReadingShow less
sustainability, zero waste store, refil lzone
Photo: iStock
Photo: iStock

Consumers value ethics though 'sustainability needs to be competitively priced'

Consumers now want a greater commitment from retailers in cutting food waste, refilling stations, sustainable packaging, and partnering with social purpose organisations, states a recent research, which also highlights that a good majority (69 per cent) of younger consumers are more likely to shop with what they see as socially responsible retailers though price sensitivity still plays a crucial role.

According to the findings, published in Vypr’s Consumer Horizon Report, reducing food waste is the most important factor for the majority of UK consumers (29 per cent), especially for Gen Z women aged 18-24 (38 per cent). More than a third (37 per cent) of men aged 18-24 said they needed food storage advice. A similar number of women aged 18-24 (33 per cent) want meal kits with the exact amount of ingredients included for them to cut down on food waste.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sugro-Wn-News.png
Sugro UK
Sugro UK

Sugro UK unveils new B2B digital enhancements to empower members, retailers

Sugro UK, the number one buying and marketing buying group*, in partnership with b2b.store, is thrilled to announce a further expansion of its existing E-Loyalty scheme programme, which has proven to be very popular with its members and retailers, by introducing E-Loyalty Extra Compliance and Execution scheme as well as E-Coupons.

The E-Loyalty Extra is aimed to boost compliance and execution at retail store level to drive new product launches, core range compliance, some exciting fixture trials with its supply partners and more! It will be available to all member owned and member affiliated retail stores within the group.

Keep ReadingShow less
Paulig acquires Panesar Foods

iStock image

Paulig acquires Panesar Foods

Expanding its footprint in the World Foods category, Paulig has acquired Panesar Foods, a prominent UK-based producer of sauces and condiments.

Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Tipton, Panesar Foods is a family-owned business with three production facilities, employing 308 staff and achieving a turnover of £59 million in the 2023 fiscal year.

Keep ReadingShow less