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Calls for 'sharing bags' of confectionary to be banned amid UK obesity crisis

Sharing bags
Campaigners have warned of the dangers of supermarket promotions [Photo: Getty]

‘Sharing bags’ of sweets and chocolates should be banned as people eat an entire pack in just one sitting, campaigners have warned.

UK charity Action on Sugar has called for a ban on confectionary promotions after discovering that retailers often sell ‘sharing packs’ at better value than individual bags.

According to a recent study conducted by the campaign, one in five adults consume ‘sharing bags’ in just one sitting. And 33 per cent of those responsible are aged between 16 and 24.

Sharing bags
The removal of tempting supermarker promotions could cut almost 7g of sugar out of an individual’s diet per day [Photo: Getty]

And price promotions on large packs of confectionary mean that the average individual is consuming approximately 29 teaspoons of sugar per bag, four times the recommended intake.

But Action on Sugar hopes that the removal of tempting price tags on high-sugar items could cut almost 7g of sugar out of an individual’s diet per day.

Kawther Hashem, nutritionist and researcher at Action on Sugar, said: “Companies and supermarkets are constantly finding ways to push more sugary products, which are contributing to the high rates of obesity, Type 2 diabetes and tooth decay in the UK.”

She continued, “These types of price promotions encourage us to eat far too much sugar and calories and should be banned. It is time retailers are pressed to act responsibly and no longer profit at the expense of our health.”


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