Long Term Monitoring of Health Inequalities: Headline Indicators – October 2015

Volume of sales of confectionery, biscuits, cakes and pastries^[15]

Indicator Source: Food Standards Scotland (Kantar Worldpanel)

Latest Results

• In 2014, the total volume of take home biscuits and confectionery purchased by Scottish households was just over one hundred thousand tonnes (103,000). Sales volumes have remained stable since 2010.

Figure 14: Sales of biscuits and confectionery, 2010-2014

• In 2014, just under one billion (981 million) servings of cake and pastry were purchased by Scottish households. Purchases have remained stable since 2011.

Figure 15: Sales of cake and pastry servings, 2011-2014

About This Indicator

Desired Outcome:

Reduced consumption of high energy food and drink.

Relevant Route Map action:

Action to work with retailers to encourage stocking of smaller and less energy-dense portions, with the Food Implementation Group to reduce saturated fat and sugar levels.

Geography available:

Scotland level only.

Equalities data:

Not applicable.

Rationale for including this indicator:

The aim of this indicator is to monitor the sales by volume of confectionery, biscuits, cakes and pastries in supermarkets in Scotland.

There is evidence that obesity is associated with over consumption of energy dense snack foods such as confectionery, biscuits, cakes and pastries. Moderate evidence exists in the literature for interventions aimed at reducing availability and affordability of energy dense foods and with a moderate rating for potential population effectiveness. The ScotPHN engagement process for the Route Map assessed the action as having high impact with medium to high effort.

Factors influencing this indicator:

• Availability and affordability of healthy choices