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Supermarkets accused of advertising unhealthy foods

01/09/2008

The major supermarket chains have been accused of dramatically increasing the number of promotions featuring unhealthy foods.

A new report published by the National Consumer Council (NCC) today claims that fatty and sugary food products currently make up 54 per cent of in-store promotions, almost twice the number seen in 2006.

Morrisons are named as the worst culprits, with 63 per cent of their promotions featuring the unhealthy food types.

Only one in eight of retailers' promotions are said to feature fruit and vegetables.

Sainsbury's are named as the best of the UK's top eight supermarkets for the second time in a row.

The report's author, Lucy Yates, said that the volume of promotions featuring unhealthy food was "staggering".

"We expected to see evidence of big improvements since our last investigation, but we've been sadly disappointed," she said.

"With so many of us buying our food in these supermarkets, their collective behaviour can heavily influence the nation’s eating habits. Despite their claims, the supermarkets all still have a long way to go to help customers choose and enjoy a healthier diet."

In response the British Retail Consortium (BRC) said the evidence used in the report was misleading.

"This report rightly recognises the huge numbers of discounts and promotions retailers are offering cash-strapped customers and their achievements in informing customers and reformulating products," BRC food director Andrew Opie said.

"But the NCC’s one-off March snapshot is misleading. Customers will have seen for themselves the current high-profile supermarket price war centred on fruit and vegetables.

"This ill-informed report will not distract us from our work with the Food Standards Agency and Department of Health on tackling obesity, work for which UK retailers are recognised as European leaders."