Welsh Government curbs on sugary drinks refills and multi-buy offers welcomed by doctors’ union

 

A doctors’ union has welcomed plans by the Welsh Government to introduce restrictions on the promotion and placement of foods high in fat, salt and sugar.

The Food (Promotion and Presentation) (Wales) Regulations 2025 aim to reshape how shops promote less healthy foods, targeting what experts identify as one of the key drivers in the obesity challenge.

Research shows up to 83% of purchases made on promotion are impulse buys. And almost half (43%) of food and drink products in prominent store locations promote sugary foods and drinks.

In a response some of the planned restrictions include restrictions on promotions that can encourage over-consumption, such as multi-buy offers and free refills of sugary drinks in restaurants.

These changes would apply to medium and large businesses with 50 or more employees.

The Welsh Government is also looking to curb the presentation of foods high in fat, sugar and salt products at prime selling locations in stores, such as entrances and checkouts and on website homepages.

The restrictions largely mirror rules already introduced in England.

There will be a 12-month implementation period before they are introduced in March next year, if they are approved by the Senedd in a vote next month.

Speaking earlier this week Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said: “The retail environment in shops play a role in shaping the food and drink we buy.

“Promotion and marketing strategies used by the sector contribute to poor health outcomes across Welsh communities.”

The planned regulations have been welcomed by BMA Cymru Wales, which said the measures will help to tackle obesity.

It is estimated that sixty percent of adults in Wales are now overweight or obese, and nearly a quarter of children by the time they start school

“As an association of doctors, we bear witness to the damaging impact that obesity has on children and adults, including increasing the risk of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mental health issues,” said Dr Iona Collins chair of the BMA’s Welsh Council.

“We have campaigned for years to see robust solutions aimed at preventing obesity, including measures to restrict purchasing incentives which promote food with high fat, salt and sugar content.

“Welsh Government’s announcement demonstrates that it has grasped the seriousness of the situation in Wales where a high proportion of adults and a growing number of children are now overweight or obese.

“In summary this is an encouraging step forward. We look forward to hearing more plans from the Welsh Government, which help to combat this rising health emergency.

“By improving the health of the nation, we are able to prevent disease and create a sustainable future for the NHS, improving services overall.”

However former Welsh Conservative Leader Andrew RT Davies described the planned regulations as “nanny-state rules.”

Health Secretary Jeremy Miles has said the Welsh Government needs to “take action to help people make positive changes to their diets and lifestyles”, but Andrew RT Davies has said Ministers should provide nutritional information instead to allow people to make their own choices.

Andrew RT Davies MS, Senedd Member for South Wales Central and former Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said: “These new nanny-state rules will be unwelcome in Wales.

“The Welsh Government’s intervention on minimum unit pricing has been a disaster, but Ministers have not learned from that mistake.

“Instead of treating the public like children and hiking up prices, the Welsh Government should provide nutritional information and allow people to make their own adult choices about what they eat.”