HFSS PROMO BAN

LEGISLATION: NFRN

HFSS PROMO BAN ‘UNFAIR AND INCONSISTENT’ FOR SMALLER SYMBOL SHOPS

THE NFRN HAS EXPRESSED DEEP CONCERNABOUT GOVERNMENT PLANS TO INCLUDESYMBOL GROUP RETAILERS’ SMALLER STORESBUT NOT UNAFFILIATED INDEPENDENTS IN ITSPROPOSED HFSS RESTRICTIONS.

In its response to the Department for Health and Social Care’s consultation into restricting promotions of unhealthy foods, the NFRN has argued that proposed changes to how retailers can site and promote high fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) products are “unfair and inconsistent”.

Under the new policy, all stores over 2,000sq ft with more than 50 employees will no longer be able to place HFSS products at store entrances, checkouts, end of aisles and designated queuing areas. However, the Government is proposing that the regulations should also apply to ‘symbol group’ independent retailers.

NFRN National President Stuart Reddish said including symbol group retailers would be “unfair and inconsistent” with current government policy.

He said this would create a “false division” between symbol and unaffiliated independent retailers, to the disadvantage of those who have chosen to trade under a fascia.

Reddish commented: “A ridiculous situation will occur where two stores in similar locations, with similar levels of staffing and of similar size and product ranges, are treated differently solely on the basis of the sign above the door.”

The NFRN also called on the government to delay implementing any changes until April 2023 at the earliest.