Food and drink body invites retailers to join webinar
CONVENIENCE retailers are being invited to join a Food & Drink Federation Scotland webinar about the forthcoming Scottish HFSS regulations that will affect many stores.
The webinar, taking place between 11am and 12:30pm on 1 September, will provide a focus on the practical implementation of the new rules, which come into force on 1 October and restrict the promotion and placement of food and drink products high in fast, sugar or salt.
The session will cover which products are in scope, what the regulations mean for retailers and manufacturers, and how reformulation can support compliance. Attendees will also hear market insights, practical examples and recommendations from industry experts.
Confirmed speakers include representatives from the Scottish Government, Scottish Grocers’ Federation, Food and Drink Federation, and Sainsbury’s Scotland, with further speakers to be announced.
Retailers can register to join the event, Preparing for HFSS Regulations in Scotland: A Guide for Retailers and Food Manufacturers, via this link here.
Scottish Grocer has reported previously how convenience retailers have voiced their concerns about the new regulations and called for financial help and guidance to ensure their stores are compliant.
The rules target pre-packaged food and drink categories that contribute significantly to obesity and poor diet, such as confectionery, savoury snacks, soft drinks, cakes and biscuits, desserts and ready meals.
They will apply to businesses with 50 or more employees (including franchises or symbol groups), stores with a sales floor space of 2,000sq ft or more and the restrictions apply to both physical stores and online.
The legislation restricts promotions such as multibuy offers, loyalty schemes and unlimited free refills for soft drinks with added sugar.
And qualifying businesses cannot place targeted HFSS products in prominent, impulse-buying locations such as checkouts and queueing areas, entrances and aisle ends.
