The Senedd have passed a law that will prohibit junk food being advertised in prime retail spots in supermarkets around Wales. All shops with 50 or more employees must adhere to the new rules, which the Tories have criticised as ‘nanny state nonsense’.
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00:00From March next year, Welsh supermarkets will no longer be able to display junk food at
00:06tills or store entrances as part of new rules to tackle obesity.
00:10The Welsh Government says it wants to reduce impulse purchases of unhealthy foods and make
00:15it easier for people to make healthier choices.
00:17The regulations, which narrowly passed in the Senate by 25 votes to 24, will apply to
00:22larger shops with 50 or more employees, with smaller and specialist retailers like sweet
00:26shops exempt.
00:28Restaurants high in fat, sugar or salt, including chocolates, pastries and pizzas, will have
00:33to be moved away from prominent areas.
00:35As part of the new law, restaurants will be banned from offering unlimited refills of
00:39sugary drinks, with businesses that fail to comply could face fines, and multi-buy offers
00:44like meal deals could be put at risk.
00:48Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said obesity is one of the biggest health risks in Wales
00:51and that food industry marketing plays a significant role in influencing what people eat.
00:56He insists these changes will have a lasting impact on public health, but not everyone
01:00agrees.
01:03Plaid Cymru says the measures don't go far enough and risk failing without wider policies
01:08to support them.
01:09Meanwhile, the Welsh Conservatives have criticised the plans as nanny state nonsense, arguing
01:13they will increase costs for working people.
01:16They say tackling obesity should focus on improving access to sport and physical activity
01:20rather than restricting food choices.
01:24Despite the criticism, the Welsh Government says these changes are necessary to reduce
01:28obesity levels and ease pressure on the NHS.
01:31With the rules coming into force in March 2026, businesses now have a full year to prepare
01:35for the changes, but the debate over how to best tackle obesity in Wales is unlikely to
01:39end any time soon.
01:41JPT Watkins, reporting for Local TV.