To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether he has held discussions with the Welsh Government on its proposal to introduce legislation to restrict the placement and price promotion of products high in fat, sugar and salt.
Answered on
4 July 2023
Public health including restrictions of products that are high in fat, sugar and salt is devolved in Wales and is therefore the responsibility of the Welsh Government. UK Government officials from DHSC engaged with their Welsh Government counterparts earlier in the year to update each other on their policies on this matter.
Legislation to restrict the placement of products high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) came into force in England on 1 October 2022. The regulations also require the restriction of promotions on HFSS products by volume price. This includes multibuy deals such as ‘buy one, get one free’ or ‘3 for 2’. Given the current challenges caused by higher food prices, this government does not want to take action now that could risk contributing further to the rise. Therefore, the UK Government are further delaying the volume price promotion restrictions, whilst we monitor the continued impact of the unprecedented global economic situation. These restrictions are now due to come into force on 1 October 2025.
Meal deals are generally targeted as lunch options for adults to consume on the go that day rather than being stockpiled at home, and they aim to reduce the cost of a single meal. Therefore, it was decided that these types of price promotions will not be in the scope of the restrictions in England.