Wed, 01 Oct 2025

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 'Buy one, get one free' deals for unhealthy food banned

Crisps, sweets, chocolate and fizzy drinks will be covered by restrictions starting in England.

* Price or multibuy promotions on unhealthy food and drink will be banned in England from Wednesday, affecting supermarkets, high street shops, online retailers, restaurants, and cafes.
* The ban applies to "buy one, get one free" deals, free refill promotions of certain drinks, and advertising of less healthy food and drink on TV before 21:00.
* A classification system will define what products are classed as unhealthy, including fizzy drinks, crisps, sweets, chocolates, ice creams, pastries, cakes, fishfingers, and pizzas.
* The government aims to tackle obesity, particularly childhood obesity, which has risen sharply over recent decades.
* Experts say the ban is a "crucial step" in giving children a healthy start in life, but it's not a "silver bullet" and more needs to be done to address the issue.
* Industry lobbying against the restrictions has been ongoing, but some retailers have already introduced their own restrictions.
* Similar restrictions will be introduced in Wales next year and Scotland is expected to follow suit.
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