Supermarkets Could Be Banned from Selling Discount Junk Food

Everyone loves a bargain, especially an edible bargain. No matter how steadfast your willpower or the number of Lean in 15 recipes you have saved on your phone, it is logistically impossible to walk past an aisle selling buy-one-get-one-free Thai Sweet Chili Sensations and not leave the supermarket with as many crisps as you can physically carry. (Hey, bulk-buying is economical!)

But heavily discounted junk food is contributing to the national obesity crisis and should be banned. At least that's according to a group of MPs.

In a report published today by the Commons Health Select Committee, a parliamentary group that monitors Department of Health policy, the Government's current plan to fight obesity does not go far enough. The Committee said that it was "extremely disappointed" with ministers for ignoring the advice of public health experts and not implementing stronger controls on junk food marketing.

The report claimed that the Government's obesity plan had completely missed "the impact of deep discounting and price promotions" on sales of unhealthy food and drink. It recommended that measures be put in place to "reduce and rebalance the number and type of promotions in all retail outlets, including restaurants, cafes, and takeaways."

Looking at you, two-for-one pizza deals. The report added that the ban on junk food discounts should be mandatory across all retailers and "not limited to products which are high in sugar, but also those high in salt and fat." It said: "We recommend an outright ban on these practices and call on retailers to end the promotion of high-calorie discounted products as impulse buys at the point of non-food sales."

Published in August after months of delays, the Government's childhood obesity strategy includes a tax on sugary drinks and plans to reduce the amount of sugar in children's food items. While the Committee's report notes its support for these measures, it argues that not stepping up to control how junk food is sold will limit their impact.

This criticism has been echoed by a number of health bodies and professionals, including Russell Viner of the Royal College of Paediatrics. He told the Guardian: "The fight against obesity is going to be long and hard—and the health committee is right: without action across a number of areas, any impact of individual policies will be minimal."

The Department of Health however, hasn't ruled out further legislation to tackle the nation's growing obesity crisis. Public health minister Nicola Blackwood said in a statement: "We welcome the Committee's recognition of the progress we have made in this area, delivering the most ambitious plan on childhood obesity in the world […] Voluntary approaches have been shown to be very effective, but as we have repeatedly said, we have not ruled out further measures if results are not seen."

Better stock up on those half price Hobnobs while you still can.