Government tackles unhealthy food ads to help against COVID-19

Food promotions that encourage unhealthy meals such as ‘Buy one get one free’ deals, will be banned as the government tries to tackle obesity.

The plan for England includes restrictions on where and how foods that are high in fat and sugar are displayed on menus and in stores.

How calories are labelled on menus would apply to any restaurant or takeway or cafe, with over 250 employees. Other discussions will be held surrounding similar plans for alcoholic drinks.

A new confirmed ban for TV and online platforms limits junk foods adverts being shown before 9pm in the UK.

Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has said that the plan would help prevent “health risks” that obesity provides with COVID-19.

Official government figures show that 8% of critically ill patients in intensive care with coronavirus are morbidly obese. Whereas only 2.9% of the general population are classified as morbidly obese.

The government has also announced that it could discuss whether to stop online fast food advertisements altogether.