Restricting multi-buy price promotions on high fat, sugar or salt discretionary foods: analysis summary - briefing

6. Discussion and Conclusions

This paper has summarised key modelling results conducted by SRUC and the University of Aberdeen on behalf of the Scottish Government, exploring a policy of restricting the use of multi-buys of discretionary foods. It has not attempted to discuss the potential reasons behind the results. Full results are available in the online data files.

In order to reduce health harms associated with obesity in Scotland, Food Standards Scotland have estimated that discretionary food consumption^[8] would have to reduce by at least half^[9], equivalent to 190 calories per person each day or 1,330 each week on average^[10].

The SRUC-University of Aberdeen modelling estimated an average reduction of 155 calories per person each week from restricting multi-buys on discretionary products, equivalent to 22 calories reduction per person each day.

Despite variation in levels of impact across different sectors of society, an estimated reduction in calories on average per person each week was observed for all groups examined. However, there are some variations to note, such as the lowest SIMD group (decile 1) estimated to see a calorie reduction of 135 calories per person each week compared to the highest group (decile 5) of 220 calories per person each week on average. Those on an income up to £29,999 would have an estimated reduction of 132 calories per person each week and those on an income between £30,000-39,000 would be estimated to see a reduction of 276 calories per person each week on average.