The UK government may scrap all of its anti-obesity strategies and cancel planned restrictions on pre-watershed HFSS ads.
Earlier this year, the government announced plans to ban pre-9pm ads promoting food and drink high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS). It was also hinted that multi-buy deals on HFSS products would be scrapped.
According to The Guardian, the review of HFSS restrictions, ordered by the Treasury, comes as part of Liz Truss’ ambition to reduce burdens on business and help shoppers through the cost of living crisis.
The ‘internal summary’ process is also set to possibly ditch calorie counts on menus in restaurants and cafes.
It is said that officials at the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities are “aghast” at the prospect of the new prime minister scrapping plans to battle junk food consumption.
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While almost two-thirds of British adults are overweight or obese, obesity also costs the NHS a reported £6.1 billion a year to treat.
The Obesity Health Alliance director, Katharine Jenner, is “deeply concerned”.
“It would be reckless to waste government and business time and money rowing back on these obesity policies, which are evidence-based and already in law. These policies are popular with the public, who want it to be easier to make healthier choices,” she added.
Liz Truss herself told the Daily Mail last month: “Those taxes are over. Talking about whether or not somebody should buy a two-for-one offer? No. There is definitely enough of that.”
“What people want the government to be doing is delivering good roads, good rail services, making sure there’s broadband, making sure there’s mobile phone coverage, cutting the NHS waiting lists, helping people get a GP appointment. They don’t want the government telling them what to eat.”
