The government has delayed plans to ban multibuy deals on junk food for another two years as food inflation remains high.
The ban on multibuy deals on foods and drinks high in fat, salt, or sugar (HFSS), such as “buy one get one free” or “3 for 2” deals in England, is now set to take effect in October 2025.
Announcing the delay on Saturday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he believes in “people’s right to choose,” and that the government needs to balance “the impact on consumers and businesses” with the “mission to reduce obesity.”
The planned ban was introduced by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson in July 2020 as part of the government’s “obesity strategy.”
The government said at the time that almost two-thirds of adults in England were overweight or obese.
Last year, Johnson delayed the ban for a year amid soaring inflation. Another planned ban on TV advertising of HFSS food and drinks before the 9 p.m. watershed and paid-for adverts online was also shelved for a year until January 2024.
Other parts of the strategy, such as mandatory calorie labelling on menus and the ban on placing HFSS products in prominent locations in shops have already taken effect.
On Saturday, the government said the further delay of the multibuy deal ban will allow it to “continue to review the impact of the restrictions on the consumers and businesses in light of the unprecedented global economic situation.”
Sunak said in a statement, “I firmly believe in people’s right to choose—and at a time when household budgets are under continuing pressure from the global rise in food prices, it is not fair for government to restrict the options available to consumers on their weekly shop.
“It is right that we consider carefully the impact on consumers and businesses, while ensuring we’re striking the balance with our important mission to reduce obesity and help people live healthier lives.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said it’s right to delay the ban “so as to support businesses and allow them to focus on making food more affordable for families.”
“We remain committed to cutting waiting lists by tackling obesity which costs the NHS around £6.5 billion a year and is the second biggest cause of cancer. We’re already taking action to do so, including by launching pilots for the latest anti-obesity drugs,” he added.
James Lowman, chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores, said shoppers will welcome the delay of the legislation that would further increase shopping bills.
“It is also welcome relief for our members, already struggling with high energy prices, rising interest rates, and increasing product costs from suppliers,” he said.
Lowman called on the governments of Scotland and Wales, which are considering their HFSS regulations, to align their approach with England to “avoid confusion and unnecessary problems for customers, retailers, and suppliers.”
He also said the campaigner will “continue to argue that any regulations need to be proportionate and effective measures, backed by evidence that they will actually tackle obesity.”
She also rejected the argument that shoppers would save money with multibuy promotions, saying the deals “encourage people to impulsively buy more unhealthy food, rather than make savings from food already on their shopping list.
