Scotland restricts prominent placement and multi-buy deals on unhealthy foods

Sugary soft drinks, biscuits and some breakfast cereals have disappeared from prominent positions in Scotland's supermarkets.

The Scottish government has introduced rules meaning some products that are high in fat, sugar and salt can no longer be put in prime end-of-aisle slots, or feature as part of multi-buy offers in store or online.

The regulations will apply to the usual suspects - chocolate, crisps, biscuits and ice cream.

But it could also include kombucha, seaweed snacks, muesli and chewing gum, depending on their sugar content.

Price promotions on those items - such as "three for the price of two", "three for £10" or "buy five and save 20%" - are no longer allowed.

Multi-buy offers, including extra loyalty points, are also banned.

Another type of deal that falls foul of the rules is those offering a free high-sugar, fat or salt product alongside another purchase - for example, a free chocolate bar with a newspaper.

There are no restrictions on discounts such as half-price or "save £1".

Online retailers also face restrictions - including a ban on advertising some foods on their homepage.

Similar restrictions are already in place in England and Wales.

In England, price or multibuy promotions on unhealthy food and drink were banned in October 2025.

Wales followed in March when it brought in its rules preventing medium and large retailers promoting less healthy products.

Restrictions on advertising junk food across the UK were also introduced in January.

The Scottish government regulations are being introduced to encourage healthier eating choices.

Public Health Minister Maree Todd noted that two out of three Scottish adults are overweight or obese, with those living in the poorest areas worst affected.

She said: "We know that promotions and prominent product placement can encourage over-consumption and impulse buying of foods with high levels of calories, fat, sugar and salt.

By restricting the promotion of less healthy food and drink we can make it easier for people to make healthier choices, improving health and wellbeing, and create a Scotland where everyone eats well and has a healthy weight."