New plans to tackle obesity could see supermarket deals being banned. A Welsh Government consultation document exploring how to make the "food environment in Wales healthier" was published in June 2022 with several proposals on how to promote healthy eating.
Some things considered in the original consultation are the banning of "meal deal" offers where products are cheaper if purchased together, multi-buy offers as well as reducing the prices of certain foods.
The Welsh Retail Consortium has written to ministers to to say that the plans would have a "disproportionate" impact on food producers, reduce choice and increase food prices. Readers have reacted with anger to the news with many saying that people should be given the choice to make their own decisions.
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Reacting to our story, Karen Williams stuck up for the meal deals saying: "I wouldn’t class meal deals as junk food. Healthier than a lot of other options."
While Jackie Williams had a suggestion. She asked: "Now here's an idea. How about changing what's included to only healthier items?
Is that too much like common sense??? Not every item in a meal deal is unhealthy, it's what you choose. Take out the unhealthy .options, job done! Simples!"
There is some concern from people about being controlled. Martyn Collis said: "OK then... Welsh Assembly you win, the last of the enjoyment in my life has been removed. I shall look forward to receiving the instructions on what shade of grey smock I need to wear and how my hair must look."
While Nicola King's view is: "Another attempt to control people! Disgraceful as whilst no-one is forced to buy any of these things, those of us that do can find it really useful especially on days out or when time is limited. Leave us alone to get on with it, the shops wouldn't provide the service if it wasn't popular and desirable!"
Jenny Jones thinks more effort should be put into helping people struggling to buy food. She said: "Maybe whoever has made this decision should look at helping people who are struggling to buy food and heating and other essentials than banning ridiculous stuff like this. Get a grip and stop controlling people. Thinking up such tripe when there's more important things going on."
While Gareth Matthews described any plans as "dumb". He said: "People are struggling with money. If you really think there are health risks then influence the types of snacks/drinks that should or shouldn’t be eligible for meal deals. Eg limit the drink to water for example."
While John Moody has concerns about what the food is made out of. He said: "The problem is not the meal deal - the problem is what it is made out of, and the blame for that rests with the supermarkets and / or the food production industry. The type of food rolled into these deals is often processed and bad for the consumer, but the consumer is limited by what the supermarket puts on sale. Supermarkets have sway in what goes onto their shelves and could easily tell food production companies to better if they were minded to do so!"
Similar plans have also been put forward in England but nothing has yet been implemented.
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