UK delays ban on 'Buy One Get One Free' junk food deals... "High inflation burden"

Ban on High-Fat and Sugary Food Purchase Events Proposed
"Obesity, the Most Serious Health Issue for Britons"
Implementation Delayed to 2025... High Inflation Burden

The UK, which planned to ban promotions of junk food high in fat or sugar, has decided to delay the implementation of the policy by two years due to the rising global food prices.

According to the UK daily The Guardian on the 17th (local time), the UK government announced this policy in December 2020 to curb the increasing obesity population. At that time, the UK Department of Public Health stated, “From April 2022, multi-buy promotions such as ‘buy one get one free’ or ‘buy three get two free’ will be restricted for foods that exceed certain thresholds of fat, sugar, or salt content (HFSS, High Fat, Sugar and Salt).”

In addition to banning promotional events, high-fat, high-salt, and high-sugar foods or drinks cannot be advertised in easily visible places such as store entrances or in front of cash registers. About 19 items fall under this category, including potato chips, ice cream, carbonated drinks, cakes, chocolate, and candy.

Refills of carbonated drinks at in-store restaurants will also be prohibited. The UK government is reportedly also pushing for bans on fast food TV advertisements during certain hours and mandatory calorie labeling on restaurant menus.

This is an extension of the UK government’s ongoing policies to combat obesity. In 2018, the UK introduced a sugar tax based on sugar content to suppress obesity. However, seeing little effect, the government took more drastic measures.

However, rising prices have become an obstacle. Voices saying “consumer choice should not be restricted” continued, and in May last year, the government postponed the implementation to October 2023. There were even speculations that the policy might be completely withdrawn.

On the 17th, the UK Prime Minister’s Office announced that the plan would be delayed by another two years until October 2025, and that it would continue to review the impact on consumers and businesses. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said, “At a time when households are continuously pressured by global food price increases, it is not desirable for the government to restrict consumer choice,” adding, “I firmly believe in the people’s right to choose.”

Prime Minister Sunak emphasized, “While undertaking the important mission of reducing obesity and helping citizens lead healthy lives, we must carefully consider the impact on consumers and businesses.”

The UK Convenience Stores Association welcomed the move, saying, “Such legislation can only increase grocery costs,” and that the postponement decision “helps consumers already facing inflation.”

However, the Department of Health warned, “Obesity is the most serious health issue facing the UK.” Sixty-three percent of UK adults and one in three children are overweight or obese. The Guardian reported, “The National Health Service (NHS) spends ?6.5 billion (about 10.7 trillion KRW) annually on obesity-related diseases.”

Meanwhile, when the postponement of the multi-buy promotion ban was decided last year, UK star chef Jamie Oliver protested in front of 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister’s residence, demanding an end to junk food advertising targeting children.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.