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What are the new rules in Scotland's supermarkets?

Getty Images A woman compares items on a supermarket shelf. She has long, brown hair and is wearing a grey jacket over a brown jumper and cream trousers. Getty Images

Sugary soft drinks, biscuits and some breakfast cereals have disappeared from prominent positions in Scotland's supermarkets.

The Scottish government has introduced rules meaning some products that are high in fat, sugar and salt can no longer be put in prime end-of-aisle slots, or feature as part of multi-buy offers in store or online.

The regulations will apply to the usual suspects - chocolate, crisps, biscuits and ice cream.

But it could also include kombucha, seaweed snacks, muesli and chewing gum, depending on their sugar content.

What are the new rules?

The Scottish government regulations apply to businesses with more than 50 employees. This could include supermarkets, high street shops, restaurants, pharmacies, petrol stations and garden centres.

They are are no longer allowed to display pre-packaged foods including sugary soft drinks, confectionery, biscuits and breakfast cereals in prominent locations such as entrances, checkouts, aisle ends and designated queueing areas.

Scottish government A diagram of a shop showing areas where designated foods can be displayed Scottish government

Price promotions on those items - such as "three for the price of two", "three for £10" or "buy five and save 20%" - are no longer allowed.

Multi-buy offers, including extra loyalty points, are also banned.

Another type of deal that falls foul of the rules is those offering a free high-sugar, fat or salt product alongside another purchase - for example, a free chocolate bar with a newspaper.

There are no restrictions on discounts such as half-price or "save £1".

Online retailers also face restrictions - including a ban on advertising some foods on their homepage.

Similar restrictions are already in place in England and Wales.

Chocolate, ice cream... what else?

The short answer is: a lot, if there’s enough sugar, salt or fat packed into it.

The restrictions could apply to:

  • Drinks with added sugar - such as lemonade, soda, squash, chocolate milk, almond milk, ready-made coffee, kombucha, energy drinks, and hot chocolate
  • Savoury snacks such as crisps and tortilla chips, and even lentil-based crisps and seaweed snacks, depending on their content
  • Breakfast cereals, granola, muesli and oat-based cereals
  • Pre-made pizzas, roast potatoes, chips, fish fingers and chicken nuggets
  • Ready meals, as well as pasta, rice or noodles with added ingredients or fillings, such as ravioli and tortellini
  • Confectionary, such as popcorn, chocolate, chewing gum and sweets
  • Ice cream, sorbets, ice lollies, sponge cakes, custard, jelly, crumbles
  • Cereal bars, biscuits, scones, flapjacks, doughnuts and Danish pastries
  • Sweetened Greek-style, probiotic, kids' and drinking yoghurts

Is this the end of the meal deal?

Meal deals are exempt from the regulations, as are "dine for two" offers.

However, any foods identified in the rules, whether part of a meal deal or not, cannot be placed in the restricted locations, such as supermarket entrances.

The fight against obesity

The Scottish government regulations are being introduced to encourage healthier eating choices.

Public Health Minister Maree Todd noted that two out of three Scottish adults are overweight or obese, with those living in the poorest areas worst affected.

She said: "We know that promotions and prominent product placement can encourage over-consumption and impulse buying of foods with high levels of calories, fat, sugar and salt.

"By restricting the promotion of less healthy food and drink we can make it easier for people to make healthier choices, improving health and wellbeing, and create a Scotland where everyone eats well and has a healthy weight."