Marks and Spencer Calls for Alcohol to be Included in Health Clampdown

Marks and Spencer has expressed strong concerns regarding the exclusion of alcohol from proposed regulations aimed at unhealthy food and drink sales. The supermarket giant warns that omitting alcohol from mandatory disclosures may result in significant gaps in addressing the broader issue of public health and obesity.

The current proposals, which require large retailers to disclose sales of both healthy and unhealthy food by 2029, do not include alcohol. This exclusion has raised alarms, particularly in the context of rising obesity rates. Alex Freudmann, managing director of M&S Food, highlighted the potential risks associated with alcohol consumption, which can contribute an unaccounted number of empty calories to people’s diets.

M&S aims to take the lead by including alcohol in its own reporting practices, despite the government’s proposal lacking such a requirement. This initiative is seen as essential for maintaining transparency and encouraging healthier consumer choices. The company has urged other retailers to follow suit, asserting that a unified approach to reporting could foster public awareness about the impact of alcohol on health.

Data from research firm IWSR suggests that alcohol consumption in the UK has declined significantly, with adults now averaging just over ten alcoholic drinks per week, the lowest since record-keeping began in 1990. This decline is attributed to a growing health consciousness among consumers, as well as the increasing costs associated with social drinking.

The proposed introduction of mandatory reporting on unhealthy food and drink is part of a series of measures put forth by Sir Keir Starmer aimed at combating obesity in Britain, where rates have doubled since the 1990s. More than one in five children are classified as obese by the time they conclude primary school, prompting calls for urgent action.

As retailers prepare for the forthcoming reforms, concerns have been raised within the hospitality industry regarding the added regulations. Critics argue that such measures could pose additional burdens on already struggling businesses. A government spokesperson commended M&S for its initiative and indicated ongoing efforts to work with retailers towards healthier food sales.