Ban called for chocolate price promotions in bid to curb obesity

Campaigners are calling for a complete price deal ban on large packs of chocolate known as sharing bags.
The charity Action on Sugar, which is constantly striving to drive down obesity levels, also wants a confectionery sugar tax to be introduced.
The organisation carried out a survey on a large range of sharing bags and found many of them contained nearly 30 teaspoons on sugar. Their concern is that if supermarkets are constantly introducing price promotions, buying these packs can work out cheaper than purchasing single bars.
Obesity among children and adults is on the increase across the UK and significantly raises the risk of type 2 diabetes. However, it is possible to reduce obesity and prevent or control type 2 diabetes by following a healthy diet full of real, natural food and being regularly active. For more information visit our Low Carb Program.
Action on Sugar is concerned that slashing the cost of these large bags of chocolate is only going to encourage people to buy more.
Graham MacGregor, professor of cardiovascular medicine at Queen Mary University of London and chairman of Action on Sugar said: “It is shocking that food companies are being allowed to exploit consumers by manipulating them into purchasing larger size bags of chocolate confectionery on the cheap.
“Theresa May is letting companies get away with this despite pledging to help the socially deprived when she first became the prime minister. Companies must be held accountable and reminded to reconsider their ethical and corporate responsibility.”
Caroline Cerny of the Obesity Health Alliance said: “There’s no doubt that large portion sizes encourage people to eat more. Companies have a huge role to play in helping tackle the obesity epidemic by reducing the amount of sugar in the products.”