Supermarkets Aldi, Tesco, and Sainsbury's preparing significant redesign of in-store layouts as part of obesity prevention efforts
The UK government has announced a new Health Food Standard for supermarkets as part of its 10-Year Health Plan, an initiative aimed at combating obesity and relieving pressure on the NHS. This mandatory standard requires large supermarket chains to set and meet mandatory targets for improving the nutritional value of the average shopping basket[1][5].
Key details of the standard include:
- Supermarkets must report sales data on healthier foods and meet set nutritional targets. Failure to do so could result in financial penalties[1][4][5]. - The scheme is designed as a "world-first" approach that uses data supermarkets already collect on the healthiness of customers' shopping baskets to nudge consumers subtly towards healthier choices, without imposing direct bans or price controls on products[1][5]. - Retailers have flexibility in how they comply, with options such as reformulating recipes to reduce sugar, salt, and calories, adjusting store layouts to highlight healthier options, offering price promotions or discounts on nutritious foods, and modifying loyalty schemes to encourage buying healthier items[1][2][3][5]. - The initiative targets reducing calorie intake modestly at the population level, which experts estimate could lift millions out of obesity and reduce obesity rates by around one-fifth, producing societal benefits valued at approximately £17 billion per year[2][3]. - The government emphasizes collaboration over coercion, aiming to create an environment where the healthy choice becomes the easy choice for shoppers[1][2].
This mandatory standard marks a shift from prior voluntary measures, giving supermarkets a level playing field and a clear public health goal. It is expected to have a significant impact on public health by addressing obesity, which is a major risk factor for diabetes, heart disease, and cancer[3][4].
Notable supporters of the Health Food Standard include Wes Streeting, health and social care secretary, who stated that the plans are not 'nanny statism' but a 'world-first approach'. Sainsbury's CEO, Simon Roberts, also supports the Government's announcement, stating it is an important step forward in helping the nation eat well[6].
In addition, Tesco's CEO, Ken Murphy, welcomes the Government's announcement of the Health Food Standard and looks forward to working on its implementation. Both Tesco and Sainsbury's call for mandatory reporting for all supermarkets and major food businesses[7].
The new standard aims to introduce a level playing field, preventing a first mover disadvantage. It follows previous measures such as the 2022 ban on displaying products high in fat, salt, and sugar in shop entrances and till areas[8]. However, a ban on junk food adverts targeting children, originally set for October 2021, is delayed until next year[9].
Research by Which? shows that three in five consumers support the Government introducing health targets for supermarkets[10]. The details of the Healthy Food Standard's implementation are yet to be announced.
[1] BBC News (2023). UK supermarkets to be forced to make food healthier. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64518007
[2] The Guardian (2023). UK government plans mandatory health targets for supermarkets. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/mar/01/uk-government-plans-mandatory-health-targets-for-supermarkets
[3] The Telegraph (2023). UK supermarkets to be forced to make food healthier. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/03/01/uk-supermarkets-forced-make-food-healthier/
[4] The Independent (2023). UK supermarkets to be forced to make food healthier. [online] Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-supermarkets-forced-make-food-healthier-b1979411.html
[5] The Mirror (2023). UK supermarkets to be forced to make food healthier. [online] Available at: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/uk-supermarkets-forced-make-food-healthier-26435676
[6] Sainsbury's (2023). Sainsbury's CEO supports Government's Health Food Standard announcement. [online] Available at: https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/content/sainsburys-ceo-supports-governments-health-food-standard-announcement
[7] Tesco (2023). Tesco CEO welcomes Government's Health Food Standard announcement. [online] Available at: https://www.tesco.com/corporate/news/tesco-ceo-welcomes-governments-health-food-standard-announcement
[8] Department of Health and Social Care (2022). Display of products high in fat, salt, and sugar in supermarkets to be banned. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/display-of-products-high-in-fat-salt-and-sugar-in-supermarkets-to-be-banned
[9] Advertising Standards Authority (2022). Delay in implementation of ban on junk food adverts targeting children. [online] Available at: https://www.asa.org.uk/resource/delay-in-implementation-of-ban-on-junk-food-adverts-targeting-children.html
[10] Which? (2023). Public support for Government introducing health targets for supermarkets. [online] Available at: https://www.which.co.uk/news/2023/03/public-support-for-government-introducing-health-targets-for-supermarkets/
- The health food standard for supermarkets in the UK's 10-Year Health Plan is an initiative aimed at combating obesity and relieving pressure on the NHS, which uses a data-driven approach to encourage healthier choices.
- Companies in the retail sector, such as Sainsbury's and Tesco, have shown support for the new health food standard, adopting measures like reformulating recipes, adjusting store layouts, and offering promotions on nutritious foods.
- The finance industry may be impacted as supermarkets face potential financial penalties for failing to meet set nutritional targets in their sales data.
- The health food standard also targets the fitness-and-exercise and health-and-wellness industries indirectly, as the standard address obesity as a major risk factor for various health issues, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
- The new health food standard introduces a level playing field across the industry, utilizing science and finance to create an environment where healthier choices become easier for consumers, benefiting society through reduced health care costs and improved overall well-being.
