The British Retail Consortium has branded a report on supermarkets and healthy eating “disappointing” for failing to recognise retailers’ recent efforts to encourage shoppers to make healthier choices.
BRC Director General Kevin Hawkins said the National Consumer Council report Short-changed on health?, which claims to measure supermarkets’ progress towards its Health Responsibility Index, was “out of date”.
“It is based on store visits six months ago. Retailers will be disappointed it fails to give credit for a string of significant moves already made and more on the way,” he said. “Retailers are constantly introducing practical measures to encourage better diets. They are reducing fat, salt and sugar content. From websites and leaflets to pack-front labelling and school visits stores are doing more than ever to provide food information.
“Major chains have all run extensive promotions on fruit and vegetables since the summer. There is no trade-off between healthy eating and how much customers have to spend. Supermarkets have been offering competitive food prices for years. Nutritious, healthy food is actually cheaper than ten years ago.
“When it comes to healthy eating the NCC appears to believe UK retailers are part of the problem. They are part of the solution. They have the best record in the EU on actively promoting healthier diets.”
A BRC statements said that retailers were also working with suppliers and government departments to communicate health initiatives, such as 5 A DAY, and were running major promotions on fruit and vegetables, often linked to local-sourcing initiatives.
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