Sweets and chocolates will be removed from supermarket check-outs and stores will be banned from offering two-for-one deals on junk food, it was claimed last night.
So-called ‘guilt lanes’ are set to be axed over concerns that they provoke children to pester parents for sugary sweets as they prepare to pay.
The proposal will be part of the Government’s child obesity strategy, which could also see a 9pm watershed on adverts promoting foods high in sugar and salt from 2020.
So-called ‘guilt lanes’ are set to be axed over concerns that they provoke children to pester parents for sugary sweets
A ‘guilt lanes’ ban was first mooted in 2013 and was expected to be party of the fish child obesity strategy in August 2016.
However the policy, along with proposed restrictions on adverts, was one of many removed when the strategy was watered down following criticism.
But according to the Telegraph, the Prime Minister will revive the ‘guilt lane’ ban as a proposal, along with the 9pm watershed for junk food ads.
Ministers will also consider a ban on the use of cartoon characters and celebrities to promote junk food, and consult on laws to bar retailers from selling energy drinks to under-16s.
While healthy eating campaigners such as Jamie Oliver are expected to welcome the proposals, they are likely to be met with a fierce backlash from retailers.
The TV chef, who previously campaigned for health school dinners, received heavy criticism for backing a ban on cartoon characters being used to promote unhealthy cereals.
Government ministers are to consider such restrictions and consult on laws to bar retailers from selling energy drinks to under-16s.
The Prime Minister will revive the ‘guilt lane’ ban as a proposal, along with the 9pm watershed for junk food ads
Earlier this week it emerged that the childhood obesity crisis was growing, with more than 22,500 ten and 11-year-olds now classed as being severely obese.
The advertising of junk food products has been banned during children’s programmes since 2007.
The Telegraph reports that documents outlining the strategy read: ‘Where food is placed in shops and how it is promoted can influence the way we shop and it is more common for HFSS [high in fat, sugar and salt] products to be placed in the most prominent places in store as well as sold on promotion, eg with ‘buy one get one free’ offers.’
The strategy also says that the Government will consult on banning ‘the promotion of unhealthy foods and drinks’ at tills, the end of aisles and at store entrances before the end of the year.
Ministers will also consult on plans to ban the sale of energy drinks to children under 16 amid concerns that they contain high levels of sugar, carbohydrate and caffeine.
Supermarkets such as Waitrose have already done so but there are concerns that children can buy the drinks in other shops.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: ‘We’ve always said that our 2016 plan was the start of the conversation, not the final word on obesity.
‘We are in the process of working up an updated plan, and will be in a position to say more shortly.’