Diet and health in Scotland
FDF Scotland and our members take the health of the Scottish people and wider population very seriously - particularly in relation to rising obesity levels.
Over the past five years FDF members have reduced energy in the average basket
by
5.5% and sugars by 12.1%. During the lifetime of the latest salt targets (2012-
2017) FDF's
members have reduced salt content by a further 11.4%, continuing to build on
more than 15 years of
steady reformulation work. (Kantar Worldpanel UK data for FDF total membership).
We are building on this success in Scotland by providing support to help SMEs to
reformulate
their products for health. Our Reformulation Project Manager, funded by the
Scottish Government,
will help small food businesses capitalise on support and funding to make their
products healthier.
Interested? More
information »
The Scottish Government's direction
Scotland's Obesity Prevention Plan
In July 2018, the Scottish government published their obesity prevention plan 'A
Healthier Future'.
This includes an ambition, similar to England, to halve childhood obesity by
2030 and reduce health
inequalities. FDF called for government support for SMEs to reformulate
products. This has resulted
in Scottish Government investing £200,000 to help companies reformulate their
products and they
are also developing a wider package of support. We are working with Scottish
Government and Food
Standards Scotland to ensure this support meets the needs of food and drink
companies.
View 'A Healthier
Future – Scotland's Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery Plan' »
Plans to restrict promotion and marketing of foods high in fat sugar and Salt
The Scottish Government is pressing ahead with plans to restrict food
and drink promotions and advertising. This is very concerning for our members,
especially since there
is no evidence of the effectiveness of these measures in reducing our waist
lines. FDF Scotland has
been clear that these restrictions are most likely to affect smaller Scottish
businesses who use pricing
and promotions to increase on-shelf visibility.
View our full response to 'Reducing Health Harms of foods high in Fat Sugar and
Salt' »
Last reviewed: 10 Sep 2019