New restrictions on where shops can display and promote foods high in fat, sugar and salt will come into force across Scotland on Thursday, 1 October.
The regulations will affect businesses with 50 or more employees and will cover sales both in shops and online.
Prepacked products including some sugary soft drinks, confectionery, biscuits, cakes, ice cream, savoury snacks and breakfast cereals will no longer be allowed in prominent locations such as entrances, checkouts and aisle ends when they fall within the regulations.
Sweetened dairy products and some convenience foods including pizzas, ready meals, chips and breaded foods can also be covered by the restrictions.
Not every product within those categories will be affected, with foods assessed using the UK Nutrient Profiling Model to determine whether they are considered high in fat, salt or sugar.
Certain price promotions will also be restricted, including free refills of sugary soft drinks.
The Scottish Government says the changes are intended to reduce impulse purchases and make healthier food choices easier, with similar restrictions already operating in England and Wales.
Public Health Minister Maree Todd said:
“We want to make it easier for people to live healthier lives.
“In Scotland, two out of three adults are overweight or obese, with those living in our poorest areas more likely to be overweight and experience the most harm as a result.
“We know that promotions and the prominent product placement can encourage over-consumption and impulse buying of foods with high levels of calories, fat, sugar and salt.
“By restricting the promotion of less healthy food and drink we can make it easier for people to make healthier choices, improving health and wellbeing and create a Scotland where everyone eats well and has a healthy weight.”
The Scottish Retail Consortium has backed the approach as proportionate, although it estimates retailers will spend around £20 million implementing the changes.
Deputy Head Ewan MacDonald-Russell said:
“We believe these new regulations are proportionate and will enhance the positive work being done by retailers in supporting consumers to make healthier food and drink choices.
“The choice to implement a consistent model with other UK nations should simplify and reduce the cost of implementation: albeit retailers will still invest around £20 million to deliver the policy.”
The rules form part of the Food (Promotion and Placement) (Scotland) Regulations 2025 and will be enforced by local authorities.
They will apply to qualifying supermarkets, convenience stores, department stores and retail outlets in places such as train stations.
The definition covers prepacked food, meaning food packaged before sale so its contents cannot be altered without opening the packaging.
Food prepared and packaged at a customer’s request or prepacked for direct sale, such as a freshly made baguette packaged and sold on the same premises, is not included under that definition.
