The “Buy One Get One Free” deals of food items were banned in the UK on Wednesday.
The British government has banned one -free deals with unhealthy foods to prevent obesity, especially to protect children from obesity.
“This government is taking action to end the targeting of junk food ads at kids, across both TV and online.”
According to officials, these restrictions will apply to supermarkets, large shops and online retailers, which will also apply to free reclings of some drinks in restaurants and cafes.
To help define what food and drink are classified as unhealthy the government has developed a system. Fizzy drinks that contain sugar, such as full-fat cola and food that’s high in fat or sugar such as crisps, chocolate, ice creams, cakes, fish fingers and even some pizzas all fall under the ban.
It comes as obesity rates have risen sharply. In the UK it’s estimated that around one in four adults and around one in five children aged 10 to 11 are living with obesity, according to the NHS.
In this regard, the British Department of Health said that these restrictions are an important step in giving children a healthy, pleasant start in life as obesity deprives children of the best start of life and causes them to suffer from health problems throughout their lifetime.