Tesco is banning a free offer on certain groceries as part of government crackdown

Tesco and Sainsbury’s will scrap promotions from October this year – although the government has delayed its crackdown on products high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) until October 2023

Supermarket giant Tesco is banning “buy one, get one free” offers for unhealthy food and drink from this autumn.

The grocer will scrap promotions from October this year – although the government has delayed its crackdown on products high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) until October 2023.

Sainsbury’s said it was also “committed” to following the original HFSS timetable.

Shoppers will no longer see unhealthy items – like chips and chocolate – at checkouts, store entrances and aisle ends under the new rules.

The government says the measures will help tackle childhood obesity and wants healthy snacks to be at the forefront of store promotions.

The HFSS was due to be rolled out in October 2022 but has now been delayed by a year.

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Junk food TV advertising will also be banned before 9am from January 2024 as part of the obesity crackdown.

Jason Tarry, CEO of Tesco UK and Republic of Ireland, said: “Our mission is to make Tesco the easiest place to buy a healthy, more sustainable basket – while keeping the cost of weekly grocery shopping in check .

“It’s critical that we continue to make the right calls on behalf of customers and communities. Customers tell us they want to eat healthier and more sustainably without breaking the weekly grocery budget.

“We agree and thanks to our clear focus on great value for money, customers don’t have to make that compromise with Tesco.”

Mark Given, Sainsbury’s Chief Marketing Officer, said: “We are committed to continuing to meet the Government’s original HFSS advertising schedules and call on the rest of the industry to do the same.

“In 2016, Sainsbury’s became the first major UK supermarket to phase out multibuy offers in favor of lower regular prices.

“We know our customers in communities across the country are facing a cost of living crisis and want to continue providing their families with healthy, nutritious food.

“Sainsbury’s is committed to making healthy choices more affordable and over the past year almost 60% of our promotions have been focused on making healthier or better choices for you.”

Last month, Kellogg’s confirmed it was taking legal action against the government because new obesity rules would prevent some of its cereals from being prominently displayed in stores.

Kellogg’s argues that the restrictions don’t take into account the nutritional value of the milk added to its products.

Adding milk would reduce the amount of sugar and salt relative to the total weight of the serving.

The changes in food advertising have also led to Nando’s confirming a major change to its refillable beverage station.