Question reference: S5W-26756
- Asked by: Angela Constance, MSP for Almond Valley, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 18 December 2019
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Current status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 8 January 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the evidence cited in the 2018 Food Standards Scotland report, Discretionary Foods, specifically shows that restricting or banning (a) multi-buys, including meal deals, buy one get one free and three for two 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) checkout, end-of-aisle, front of store or island/bin displays and (h) the promotion of value, will result in healthier diets.
Answer
In 2015 Food Standards Scotland (FSS) introduced the term “discretionary foods” based on evidence identifying the main food and drink contributors to intakes of calories, fats and sugars in the Scottish diet. These foods have a significant impact on the diet, accounting for, on average, about one fifth of total calories, total fat and saturated fats and over half of daily free sugars consumption. FSS concluded that a key step towards meeting our dietary goals in Scotland would be to reduce our intakes of these foods, which convey little or no nutritional benefit, by around half. These foods are optional in the diet and are therefore considered discretionary.
The briefing paper provides more up-to-date and detailed information to support the FSS position on discretionary foods and provides an evidence base for actions to reduce current intakes of these foods.