The Parents' Jury is calling on supermarkets not to display high-fat and sugar-laden treats at toddler-level t by their checkouts. The group, which has a membership of 1,500 parents, criticised the practice and singled out Waitrose as the only store which keeps its checkouts completely snack-free. Tesco and Lidl also received some praise for keeping some checkouts snack-free.

"Seventy per cent of confectionery is bought on impulse," said nutritionist and Parents' Jury co-ordinator Annie Seeley. "Retailers know that putting snacks and soft drinks at the checkout where people queue increases sales substantially. But parents say the manipulative marketing technique leads to family conflict when children pester them for products."

The jury is calling retailers to "chuck snacks off the checkout".

Topics