Headline: Scotland Introduces Restrictions on Promotions of Foods High in Fat, Sugar and Salt

Date: 3 October 2026

Tags: Scotland, Health, Food, Retail

Summary:

• Scotland has introduced restrictions on how foods high in fat, sugar or salt can be promoted and displayed.

• Businesses with more than 50 employees are covered, including supermarkets, restaurants, pharmacies, petrol stations and garden centres.

• Affected products can no longer appear prominently at entrances, checkouts, aisle ends or designated queuing areas.

• Multi-buy promotions such as three-for-two offers and additional loyalty points are banned for products covered by the rules.

• Individual price reductions, including half-price offers and fixed cash discounts, remain permitted.

• Restrictions cover products including sugary drinks, confectionery, biscuits, cereals, crisps, ice cream and some ready meals.

• Products such as kombucha, muesli, seaweed snacks and sweetened yoghurt may also qualify depending on their nutritional content.

• Online retailers face similar restrictions, including limits on promoting affected products on their homepages.

• Meal deals and “dine for two” offers remain exempt, although affected products cannot be displayed in restricted locations.

• Similar restrictions on promotions of less healthy foods are already operating in England and Wales.

Why this matters: The Scottish Government says prominent displays and promotions encourage impulse purchases and over-consumption of less healthy foods.

What’s next: Retailers and other affected businesses will need to comply with the new placement and promotional restrictions while retaining permitted discounts and meal deals.