Summary
The Food Standards Agency in Northern Ireland and the Department of Health have launched a public consultation seeking views on proposals to introduce restrictions on the promotion and placement of products high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) in Northern Ireland.
The proposed restrictions would apply to certain volume price promotions, the placement of HFSS products in prominent retail locations, and free refill promotions for sugar-sweetened soft drinks. Similar measures are already in place in England and Wales, with Scotland due to introduce equivalent measures from October 2026.
Documents
- HFSS Promotion Consultation - Consultation document
- HFSS Promotion Consultation - Questionnaire document
Consultation description
Obesity remains one of the most significant public health challenges facing Northern Ireland and increases the risk of a range of serious health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers. The Department of Health's Healthy Futures obesity strategic framework identifies the food environment as an important factor in supporting healthier choices and improving health outcomes.
The purpose of this consultation is to seek views on proposed measures to:
- Reduce people’s exposure to HFSS promotions and impulse purchase drivers.
- Support healthier shopping environments and shift the balance of promotions to increase the affordability of healthier options.
- Ensure Northern Ireland maintains policy coherence with the rest of the UK food market to minimise complexity for industry.
The proposals are intended to support healthier food environments, reduce exposure to promotions that encourage the purchase of less healthy products, and maintain a broadly consistent approach across the UK. The consultation will be of particular interest to retailers, food businesses, trade organisations, local councils, public health stakeholders and consumers.
Ways to respond
10A-C Clarendon Road
Belfast BT1 3BG