The Welsh Government has announced that they plan to bring in new legislation which will ban certain foods from meal deals and being part of price promotions. The plans will also mean supermarkets won't be able to display these foods at certain points in their shops, like at the end of aisles and near the checkout.
The plans are being drawn up in a hope that they will reduce levels of obesity in Wales. Meal deals are a particular area of focus, as according to research, a person who eats a meal deal every day can gain anything from 6lbs to three stone in weight each year.
However, people commenting on the new rules have suggested that it won't stop people from purchasing foods high in sugar, fat and salt, but will instead make it more expensive to do so. Some people are optimistic that the new legislation will force supermarkets to make healthy food cheaper as a result. You can read our full report on the legislation here.
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John Pryce said: "Won't stop people buying just making it more expensive." While Vic Ward suggested: "Maybe they will make healthy food cheaper for people to purchase. At the moment it's too expensive for some people."
Whoneedssleep pointed out that Members of the Senedd could enjoy a subsidised fry up while making it more expensive for people to get a bargain lunch: "Mean while back at the trough / coal face Drakeford and co can avail of a heavily subsided fry up of a morning for the princely sum of £3-90."
Some were angry at what they saw as an intrusion on people's freedom to choose. One said: "What is wrong with these people - can’t they just leave us alone?" another said "free country and all that". Scott argued: "People will just buy a meal deal and then add crisps and juice on the top of it. Just more nanny state politics that hit people who don’t have issues with their weight."
Sempertefallant said that it should be done by information and education not by banning things. He said: "Sure, point out to them the negatives of such a lifestyle to people, but this all sounds a bit North Korea to me".
Beachboy581 said that it didn't make sense that donuts would not be banned but meal deals would. He said: "A meal deal now and then is fine as long as you get somewhere near your daily calorie allowance and it is a disgrace Welsh Government want to do this. If you think of all the things that do harm to our society, alcohol, drugs etc. and they want to ban meal deals." He went on to argue that people should have to pay for their own medical treatment if they were obese.
Jonathan Geatorex described the plans as "Woefully out of touch." He said: "In the middle of a cost of living crisis, Welsh Government decides to make living more expensive." Replying to Jonathan's comment, Owen Hughes argued that deals like meal deals are "just a marketing tool that usually leads to more waste" and that stores like Aldi and Lidl, who don't do meal deals, just offer products at a cheaper price instead.
But El Gido argued that it wouldn't make meal deals more expensive, it would just mean unhealthy options had to be removed from the offer. He said: "If this makes healthy options cheaper then it's an excellent policy!"
Another person pointed out that focusing on meal deals wouldn't necessarily help people on the lowest incomes eat more healthily. They said: "If people are having meal deals, they're not budgeting. Not even those who need quick easy food go for meal deals. 2 scotch eggs, over 500 calories in Tesco is £1.15. A drink is under £1. Meal deals are already for those well off enough to afford them."
One of the hopes is that by banning certain foods from being part of meal deals, the industry will work to reformulate them to make them healthier so they can be incorporated into meal deals. It is also hoped that the result of BOGOF and 3 for 2 offers not being allowed on high sugary food, will mean more healthy items will be discounted instead.
One person suggested that the Welsh Government need to "look at Deliveroo, Uber Eats etc as well". These plans announced today are focused on the retail market, but the Welsh Government is looking at ways they can create a healthier food environment with restaurants and takeaways.
Karen Boyce said that it is the right idea "in some ways." She said: "In some ways it’s the right idea as food manufacturers have our bodies addicted to sugar/carbs etc. (Remember 10% of the Welsh NHS budget is taken up for diabetes! 10%!!!!). But as folks say, let poor health food chains dominate, which poorer folks then tend to use."
The plans have been described as a "vanity project" by some. Colin Millar said: "Instead of encouraging healthy eating through more regulation on affordable pricing or a greater acknowledgement to keep wages competitive with inflation generally, governmental vanity projects are banning affordable options during a cost of living crisis."
One reader described the plans as "universally unpopular", adding they "won't affect the people making the rules who have a canteen - real nasty politics frankly.
However, last week Public Health Wales published research that showed there was strong support for government intervention in relation to "meal deal culture" and placing taxes on high sugar food. You can read more of that report here.
