Tesco is set to ban “buy one, get one free” deals on unhealthy foods and drinks later this year.
The supermarket giant is expected to remove the promotions from October, despite the government's pushback on its bid to curb obesity by a year to October 2023. The new legislation is set to ban products with high fat, sugar, or salt contents from being placed in "appealing" spots on supermarket shelves, The Mirror reports.
Shoppers at Tesco will no longer see unhealthy items such as crisps or chocolate featured at checkouts or store entrances as the government implements measures to reduce childhood obesity levels. Sainsbury's has also confirmed that it is "committed" to following the original October 2022 timeline.
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The governments plans involve more healthy snacks to be at the centre of both shops and TV adverts, with all junk food advertisements being banned before 9am from January 2024.
Tesco UK and Republic of Ireland CEO Jason Tarry said: “Our mission is to make Tesco the easiest place to shop for a healthy, more sustainable basket – while keeping the cost of the weekly shop in check. It’s vital that we keep making the right calls on behalf of customers and communities.
"Customers are telling us they want to eat a more healthy, sustainable diet, but without having to stretch the weekly shopping budget. We agree and, thanks to our laser-focus on great value, customers won’t need to make that compromise at Tesco.”
Sainsbury’s chief marketing officer Mark Given said: “We are committed to continuing to follow the government’s original HFSS promotional timelines and call on the rest of the industry to do the same. In 2016 Sainsbury’s became the first major supermarket in the UK to remove multibuy offers in favour of lower regular prices.
“We know our customers in communities across the country are a facing a cost-of-living crisis and want to continue to provide healthy, nutritious food for their families. Sainsbury’s is dedicated to making healthy choices more affordable and over the last year nearly 60% of our promotions were on healthier or better for you choices.”
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