In a bold but laudable move to promote public health, England has proposed to bar supermarkets from displaying and advertising unhealthy food and drinks at checkouts, shop entrances, and at the end of aisles. It will also prohibit “buy one get one free” promotions for food high in fat, sugar or salt and free refills of sugary soft drinks in restaurants. Restaurants will also not be able to offer free refills of sugary drinks.
These rules to prohibit unhealthy food will apply to larger retailers or those with 50 or more employees.
These restrictions are due to come into force from April 2022.
“We are restricting promotions and introducing a range of measures to make sure the healthy choice is the easy choice. Creating an environment which helps everyone eat healthier foods more regularly is crucial to improving the health of the nation,” public health minister Jo Churchill said.
The government of Britain has taken a slew of measures in the recent past to reduce obesity and improve health of its citizens. For instance, last month, it proposed a comprehensive and complete ban on online advertising of unhealthy food.
Studies have consistently linked obesity and being overweight with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and serious illnesses. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson has publicly discussed his need to lose weight since he had been hospitalized with COVID-19 earlier this year.
Isn’t this a wonderful initiative by the government? Do you think other nations should follow suit? Let us know your views in the comments section below.
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