HEALTHY Living programme director Kathryn Neil has been urging retailers to make sure they have their say on new regulations aimed at tackling obesity by responding to the Scottish Government’s “Reducing Health Harms of Foods High in Fat, Sugar or Salt” consultation.
Neil said it’s important for retailers to engage with the consultation, taking the opportunity to shape future policy on the issue.
“Retailers should fill in the consultation form. This is their opportunity,” she said, adding that new regulations are coming, so retailers should make sure they are prepared.
“Legislation will come in one form or another we need to be one step ahead,” she said.
“It’s not about getting rid of sweets, it’s about having the healthy options there as well.”
The Healthy Living boss added that retailers should stay positive, highlighting the work the programme has been engaging in with stores located on NHS Scotland properties.
Regulations for less healthy foods were introduced for such stores in March 2017 and the Healthy Living Programme has been helping retailers implement the policy.
“Those shopkeepers saw a dip, but now those retailers have seen their sales come back,” said Neil.
