U.K. Businesses See Obesity Plan Raising Prices, Hurting Economy
- Advertisers predict $1.3 billion cost to U.K. of TV advert ban
- Buy-one-get-one-free offers also to be banned on sugary foods
Photographer: Matt Cardy/Getty Images
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Retailers, advertisers and media companies lined up to criticize Boris Johnson’s obesity plan, saying its curbs risk raising prices for consumers and costing the U.K. economy more than 1 billion pounds ($1.3 billion) a year.
Proposals for strict new limits on junk food advertising and two-for-one offers in stores were unveiled Monday as ministers seek to control Britain’s growing obesity problem, which has been identified as a factor in coronavirus hospitalizations and deaths. Adverts for foods high in fat, sugar or salt would be banned before 9 p.m. under the plan.