Reducing health harms of foods high in fat, sugar or salt

Closed 9 Jan 2019

Opened 2 Oct 2018

Contact

0300 244 1893

DietPolicy@gov.scot

Feedback updated 22 Jun 2022

We asked

This consultation sought views on proposals to restrict the promotion and marketing of specific foods that are high in fat, sugar or salt (HFSS). 

The primary aim of the policy is to reduce the public health harm associated with the excessive consumption of calories, fat, sugar and salt, and obesity related conditions. 

You said

The consultation ran from 2 October 2018 to 9 January 2019.

We received 728 responses to the consultation: 632 from individuals and 94 from organisations. 

On the whole, there was support for the Scottish Government aim to reduce the public health harms associated with the excess consumption of calories, fat, sugar and salt, and obesity related conditions. 

We did

We have published all non-confidential responses to the consultation and an analysis report of the consulation responses (link below). 

Following this consultation, the Scottish Government set out in Programme for Government 2019/20 that it would bring forward a Bill on Restricting Foods Promotions for introduction in next year’s legislative programme.

The Programme for Govrnment 2019/20 is available at at https://www.gov.scot/publications/protecting-scotlands-future-governments-programme-scotland-2019-20/pages/4/

Results updated 17 Sep 2019

The Reducing health harms of foods high in fat, sugar or salt consultation analysis report was published on 13 September 2019. 

The report is an independent analysis of the responses to the consultation on proposals to restrict the promotion and marketing of foods high in fat, sugar, or salt, and have little to no nutritional benefit.

The report contains an Executive Summary which provides an overview of the findings from the consultation. 

 

Links:

Published responses

View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.

Overview

Too many of us in Scotland have a poor diet and an unhealthy weight, which can have a negative impact on our health and wellbeing. This is in part because we generally consume too many calories and too much fat, sugar and salt.

In seeking to reduce population-level intakes of calories, fat, saturated fat, free sugar and salt, we are seeking views on restricting the promotion and marketing of food and drink high in fat, sugar or salt with little or no beneficial nutritional value where they are sold to the public.

Why your views matter

We consult because we want better policy – and better outcomes as a result.

As part of the consultation on a draft strategy for diet and healthy weight (October 2017- January 2018), views were sought on: (1) types of price promotion and (2) defining the foods (i.e. food and drink) to be targeted.

We are now seeking views on more detailed proposals, including on (a) identified categories of food and drink that would be targeted; (b) forms of promotion and marketing that would be restricted; (c) places the restrictions would apply and (d) enforcement and implementation.

This will help us assess whether the proposed measures are proportionate and would deliver beneficial outcomes.

Download the consultation paper.

Interests

  • Business, Industry and Innovation
  • Health and Social Care