Supermarkets to get healthy eating targets under obesity plan

Wes Streeting says retailers can help nudge people in right direction and drive 'transformational' change

- Rachel Sylvester

Supermarkets will be forced to encourage shoppers to buy fruit and vegetables rather than burgers, chocolate and crisps, under government plans to tackle the obesity crisis.

Wes Streeting, the health secretary, told The Observer that retailers will be required to publish data on the amount of unhealthy food they sell. Supermarkets will also be set targets to increase their sales of more nutritious, less fattening products. Those who do not reduce the amount of calories, sugar, salt and fat in the average basket could be fined.

Measures to tackle obesity are the centrepiece of the NHS 10-year plan, which will be published this week. Treating obesity-related conditions costs the NHS about £6.5bn a year. The new policies are designed to incentivise supermarkets to “nudge” consumers towards buying healthier food.