Some of the UK’s leading grocery retail chains have signed up to a new commitment to help consumers in Scotland more easily reach the recommended target of eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
The voluntary arrangement, which is being coordinated by the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC), is a response to the Scottish government’s Obesity Route Map strategy, which aims to help consumers eat more healthily.
Among the pledges signed by the retailers are a commitment to keep fresh fruit and vegetables affordable through special offers and value ranges, while also placing them in areas where customers will be encouraged to make impulse purchases.
The companies have also signed on to provide more information to help shoppers understand the benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables, and to ensure ranges of fresh-cut and ready-to-eat vegetables are available to increase convenience for families.
As well as this, retailers are required under the arrangement to increase the proportion of fruit and vegetable ingredients in own-brand products, including ready meals, smoothies and soups.
In a statement, SRC director Ian Shearer said: “The obesity challenge facing Scotland is considerable and retailers are committed to helping the Scottish government put a long-term strategy for tackling the problem into action.
“The promise stores are signing up to will have an impact on how they price, promote and prepare fruit and vegetables.”
Among the retailers to have signed up to the new commitment are Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda, Waitrose, Morrisons and the Co-operative.
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