THE TELEGRAPH: Health Secretary’s drive to tackle obesity criticised as ‘nanny state’ move that will create red tape
Supermarkets will be ordered to cut up to 100 calories from the average shopping basket under a new “nanny state” drive to tackle obesity.
Ministers are set to impose a “healthy food standard” that will force stores to curtail sales of sugary and salty snacks in favour of more fruit and vegetables.
Shops failing to meet the mandatory targets could face fines, which retail sources warned could see prices rise.
The measures will form the backbone of a 10-year plan to improve the nation’s health, which will be unveiled by Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, this week. Downing Street hopes the changes can help avert the need for future tax rises by slashing the £11 billion a year that obesity costs the NHS.
But senior retail figures said they had been blindsided by the “draconian” plans, which they said would add to a growing glut of red tape on business. » | Nick Gutteridge Chief Political Correspondent. Hannah Boland Retail Editor. Laura Donnelly Health Editor | Sunday, June 29, 2025
Is there no end to government interference in people's private lives? – © Mark Alexander
