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SNP’S U-TURN OVER NANNY STATE PLANS

Nationalists shelve new laws on junk food, energy drinks and menus

By Michael Blackley Scottish Political Editor

HUMZA Yousaf has performed a ‘screeching’ triple U-turn on plans to ban junk food promotions, two-for-one deals and curb energy drink sales.

Ministers yesterday dropped a push for legislation to outlaw the promotion of unhealthy food and drinks after a business backlash.

They also slammed the brakes on efforts to ban the sale of energy drinks to children and shelved a scheme that would have forced restaurants to display calorie information.

The embarrassing climbdowns are the latest Nicola Sturgeon policies to be ditched since Mr Yousaf became First Minister.

Business leaders welcomed the decision not to proceed with a public health Bill that would have imposed restrictive new laws and regulations

on firms during the cost of living crisis. Tory public health spokesman Tess White said: ‘This is yet another example of Humza Yousaf ditching policies that he was all too happy to back when he was at the heart of Nicola Sturgeon’s government.

‘The Bill, brought in when Humza Yousaf was health secretary, is the latest in an ever-growing list where the First Minister has decided to make a screeching U-turn, despite wholeheartedly agreeing with these policies previously.’

A ban on promotions of foods high in fat, salt or sugar could have forced up costs for customers buying products including biscuits, cakes, crisps, cheese and haggis.

It would have also restricted in-store advertising, prominent placement in shops and coupon discounts. But all three policies were put on hold yesterday following a previous announcement by Mr Yousaf that a crackdown on alcohol advertising would be dropped.

The ban on promotions of unhealthy food was promised in the SNP manifesto and featured in Ms Sturgeon’s 2021-22 programme for government.

But public health minister Jenni Minto yesterday told MSPs: ‘We have reviewed whether primary legislation is necessary and have concluded that there is a more direct and efficient route to deliver our policy aims.

‘Therefore, rather than introduce the Public Health Restrictions and Promotions Bill, I plan to consult on the detail of proposed regulations this autumn.

‘This includes proposals to restrict the promotion of lesshealthy food and drinks in prominent locations in store, for example the end of aisles and beside checkouts. We also propose to target certain price promotions which encourage people to buy more than they actually need.

‘I recognise that businesses as well as individuals have experienced a number of significant challenges over the last few years. Our forthcoming consultation will provide an opportunity for them to provide views on the detail of the proposed regulations.’

On the proposal to ban the sale of energy drinks to children, she said that ‘we do not consider the evidence base to be sufficiently developed to pursue mandatory measures at this time’.

Ms Minto added that ‘we should pause before making a final decision on the next steps’ on forcing restaurants and takeaways to display calorie information, amid concerns about the impact on people with eating disorders.

David Thomson of the Food and Drink Federation Scotland said: ‘We are heartened that the Government appears to be making good on its promise for a new deal with Scottish businesses.’

Gavin Partington of the British Soft Drinks Association welcomed the recognition that voluntary measures to curb energy drink sales to children were working. Leon Thompson of UKHospitality Scotland said mandatory calorie labelling would have created extra red tape and costs for businesses.

But Lorraine Tulloch of Obesity Action Scotland pointed out that it would be the fourth government consultation on the issue, adding: ‘Junk food continues to be put centre stage in retail environments. As a consequence children’s health is impacted by rising rates of childhood obesity.’

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