HFSS may add to food inflation, warn food makers

Government's upcoming HFSS regulation may add food price inflation, say a leading food makers' body recently.

Food and Drink Federation on Thursday (6) has criticised the UK government for pressing ahead with restriction on food high in salt and sugar after Department of Health and Social Care published detailed guidance over upcoming HFSS regulations.

The government’s guidance aims to clarify many of the points of confusion around the implementation of the regulations and sets out more information about the way that enforcement officers should look to ensure that the rules are being followed post-implementation.

Reacting to the unveiling of guidance, Food and Drink Federation’s chief executive Karen Betts expressed disappointment.

“It's disappointing that the UK Government has pressed ahead with restrictions on how everyday food and drink products, including breakfast cereals, ready meals, yoghurts and desserts, are promoted in shops.

“This will have a negative impact on the food and drink industry - the government’s own estimates suggest businesses across the country will be hit by costs of over £1 billion a year - while the measures are not expected to impact rates of obesity.

“Our concern is also that, in implementing these measures now, the government is only adding to food price inflation," Betts said.