Rules banning multibuy deals on foods and drinks high in fat, salt, or sugar (HFSS), including buy-one-get-one free (BOGOF), three for two and free refills for sugary soft drinks, will be delayed for a year, the UK government said on Saturday.
The plan had been unveiled in December 2020 to be enforced by April this year as part of a wider anti-obesity health drive.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said the delay to restrictions on multibuy deals will allow the government to review and monitor the impact of the restrictions on the cost of living in light of an unprecedented global economic situation.
"Pausing restrictions on deals like buy one get one free will allow us to understand its impact on consumers in light of an unprecedented global economic situation," said UK Public Health Minister Maggie Throup."We're committed to doing everything we can to help people live healthier lives," she said.
The restrictions banning HFSS adverts on TV before 9 pm.