Question reference: S5W-25690
- Asked by: Angela Constance, MSP for Almond Valley, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 7 October 2019
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Current status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 4 November 2019
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of proposals in its Programme for Government and delivery plan, A Healthier Future, whether it will provide details of the evidence that restricting or banning (a) multi-buys, including meal deals, buy one get one free and 3 for 2 offers, (b) free products or free samples, (c) the sale of unlimited amounts for a fixed charge, such as unlimited refills, (d) upselling, (e) physical or electronic coupons, (f) purchase rewards, such as toys, vouchers, loyalty card points, reduced price for another product or competition entry, (g) displays at checkouts, end-of-aisle, front of store or island/bin displays and (h) the promotion of value will result in healthier diets.
Answer
The consultation paper Reducing Health Harms of Foods High in Fat, Sugar or Salt , published in October 2018, includes details of evidence for the proposals contained within it. The consultation paper is available at https://www.gov.scot/publications/reducing-health-harms-foods-high-fat-sugar-salt/
Key publications are set out in Annex D of the consultation paper. They include among other things:
Sugar Reduction: The evidence for action , Public Health England (2015), which is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sugar-reduction-from-evidence-into-action
Identifying and Understanding the Factors that can Transform the Retail Environment to Enable Healthier Purchasing by Consumers , University of Stirling, Report Prepared for Food Standards Scotland (2017), which is available at https://stirlingretail.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/fss-final-report-june-1st-2017.pdf
Rapid evidence review: Restriction of price promotions, NHS Health Scotland (2017), which is available at http://www.healthscotland.scot/publications/rapid-evidence-review-restriction-of-price-promotions
Monitoring retail purchase and price promotions in Scotland (2010 - 2016) , Food Standards Scotland (2018), which is available at https://www.foodstandards.gov.scot/publications-and-research/publications/monitoring-retail-purchase-and-price-promotions-in-scotland-2010-2016
Briefing on Discretionary Foods , Food Standards Scotland (2018), which is available at https://www.foodstandards.gov.scot/publications-and-research/publications/briefing-on-discretionary-foods
Subsequent to the publication of the consultation paper, other sources of evidence include:
Rapid systematic literature review: Impact of in-premise marketing on consumer purchasing and consumption, NHS Health Scotland (2019), which is available at http://www.healthscotland.scot/publications/rapid-systematic-literature-review-impact-of-in-premise-marketing-on-consumer-purchasing-and-consumption
The Out of Home Environment in Scotland (June 2015 - June 2018) , Food Standards Scotland (2019), which is available at https://www.foodstandards.gov.scot/publications-and-research/publications/the-out-of-home-environment-in-scotland-june-2015-june-2018
Following the consultation, the foods we are considering targeting would include, among other things, confectionery, cakes and soft drinks with added sugar. The types of restrictions we are considering include, among other things, multi-buys and positioning, such as at checkouts and front of store. Reducing health harms of foods high in fat, sugar, or salt: consultation analysis , Scottish Government (2019) is at https://www.gov.scot/publications/reducing-health-harms-foods-high-fat-sugar-salt-consultation-analysis/
The UK Government has consulted on similar proposals for England. Restricting promotions of food and drink that is high in fat, sugar and salt , UK Department of Health and Social Care (2018) is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/restricting-promotions-of-food-and-drink-that-is-high-in-fat-sugar-and-salt
Protecting Scotland's Future: the Government's Programme for Scotland 2019-2020 , Scottish Government (2019) outlined that the Scottish Government will bring forward a Bill on Restricting Foods Promotions for introduction in next year’s legislative programme. The 2019/20 Programme for Government is available at https://www.gov.scot/publications/protecting-scotlands-future-governments-programme-scotland-2019-20/
We are exploring the scope for possible alignment with the rest of the UK, where that is in Scotland’s best interests. Further detail on the policy will be set out when the Bill is introduced to Parliament and the evidence underpinning it will be set out at appropriate stages of the legislative process.