New product restrictions to address “obesity crisis” in Wales

A new law that would restrict the in-store placement and price promotion of products high in fat, sugar and salt is set to be introduced in Wales.

Expected to be introduced in 2024 and rolled out across Wales by 2025, the law builds on the government’s aim of improving diets and helping to prevent obesity by restricting the ways foods high in fat, sugar or salt can be promoted.

According to the government, over 60% of adults in Wales are above a healthy weight, and over a quarter of children are overweight or obese by the time they start school.

It will determine which products can be included in volume-based promotions, such as multi-buys, and will restrict where products high in fat, sugar or salt can be displayed in a store. Temporary price promotions and meal deals are also expected to be included to restrict the “inclusion of the unhealthiest products”.

Products that fall under the new legislation will aim to align with the same products included within England’s legislation. Among England’s listed items for its legislation are; soft drinks with added sugar, crisps, granola, sweet and salty popcorn, chewing gum, ice cream, sponge cakes, flavoured Greek-style yogurts, ready meals and more.

The deputy minister for mental health and wellbeing, Lynne Neagle, said: “This legislation will take forward our commitment to improve diets and help prevent obesity in Wales. While similar legislation is also being introduced in England, I am minded to include temporary price reductions and meal deals within our restrictions.”

She added that no product or form of promotion will be banned, however, the aim is to “rebalance” food environments towards healthier products, “so that the healthy choice becomes the easy choice”.

She continued: “This is an important part of the jigsaw as part of our ‘Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales’ strategy as part of a multi-component approach. Our next generation deserves a different ‘normal’ where healthier foods are more available, affordable and appealing, and high-fat, sugar and salt foods are not a core part of our diet. Our current and future generations deserve better.”

Public Health Wales’ recent Time To Talk Public Health survey showed strong public support for government action to make food healthier, according to the Welsh government.

57% of people agreed that governments should use financial tools such as taxes to reduce sugar in foods with high levels and 84% of respondents said they intend to take action within the next 12 months to achieve or maintain a healthy weight.

Ilona Johnson, consultant in public health for Public Health Wales, said: “Public Health Wales welcomes this new legislation to support people to make the healthier choices we know they want to make. With over 60% of adults and over a quarter of children under five now overweight or obese, this is a serious issue in Wales.”

Johnson added: “This is an incredibly complex issue and there is no single solution. We know from the evidence that policies targeting the food environment are effective and a strong legislative framework is an important step in helping us to shift the balance towards healthier choices and healthier people.”