The majority of food businesses are unprepared for upcoming legislation that will ban volume promotions on unhealthy foods.
A survey of businesses by standards organisation GS1 UK ahead of the ban’s implementation on October 1st this year found that 70% are unaware that volume promotions will be banned and almost half feel unprepared for its implementation; 20% of businesses are unaware of the new legislation altogether.
Products high in fat, salt, or sugar (HFSS) will be removed from prime locations such as aisle ends and checkouts and volume promotions such as buy-one, get-one-free will be banned. Out of home businesses will also no longer be able to offer free refills of sugary drinks.
Recent reports suggest the prime minister, Boris Johnson, has come under pressure from some of his own MPs to reverse the legislation and to delay restrictions on digital marketing and advertising that are due to come into effect next year. The House of Lords recently backed a government amendment which will allow the health secretary to delay the proposed January 1st start date.
The research found that just one in three businesses have assessed their products ahead of the October deadline, with only 48% reformulating existing products and around a quarter having not even considered it.
The legislation is also set to change the way people shop, according to the research. Over half of those surveyed currently purchase HFSS products regularly, however 68% agreed with the new legislation and nearly half said it would help them think more about which products they buy.; 51% said they would be less likely to buy HFSS products if they were less visible in stores, and a quarter would buy less if they were only available at full price.
GS1 UK has launched a free product data sharing service in collaboration with the UK retail industry to support compliance with the new legislation.
“Many businesses feel overwhelmed with the challenges they have faced over the last two years, but there is no doubt that the industry, now more than ever, needs to take a standardised approach for the collection of quality data if they are to adapt quickly and confidently to new legislation and growing consumer demand,” said Anne Godfrey, CEO of GS1 UK.
