New BRC report analyses retailer's record in obesity fight

3 June 2009

Retailers are demonstrating the effectiveness of working with customers to help them make the lifestyle changes needed in the fight against obesity.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) is today (Wednesday) publishing a substantial catalogue of evidence from its major food retailing members. It shows they are responding to customer demand in the UK's highly competitive grocery market and delivering healthier choices, food information and actual change in what customers buy - more comprehensively than legislation ever could.

British Retailing: A Commitment to Health is the third BRC report of its kind in six years, demonstrating BRC members' commitment to the health and nutritional needs of their customers.

The 2009 report reveals the progress achieved since the last report three years ago and assesses more businesses than ever before. Asda, Boots, Burger King, The Co-operative Group, Iceland, Marks and Spencer, McDonald's, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose have all taken part.

British Retail Consortium Director General Stephen Robertson said: "Achieving healthier diets is about more than targets, labelling rules or promotion bans. This catalogue of evidence shows businesses, responding to customer demand and competing on their health credentials, bringing healthy eating initiatives to shoppers more effectively than the law ever could.

"UK retailers have been Europe's leaders on health and nutrition for years. This report shows they continue to drive the agenda forward and challenge other countries to catch up.

"From reducing salt, fat and sugar to portion size options, promotions and on-pack labelling, BRC members are enabling healthier choices which are being taken up by customers.

"What we're seeing is responsible retailers enthusiastically putting their resources and reputations firmly behind making their contribution to healthier diets."

Speaking at the launch of the report today (Wednesday) Dawn Primarolo, Minister for Public Health, said: "Action by the British Retail Consortium's members to help customers make healthier choices has been fantastic, and I hope they continue to lead the way.

"Companies putting calorie content on their menus, promoting fruit and veg. and taking steps to cut the amount of salt, fat and sugar in their own brand products is encouraging.

"The alliance between Government and business is starting to achieve something very profound, so it's vital that we build on this momentum."

The report covers a string of current food-retailing issues including:

Labelling – "Retailers have led the way on all aspects of food labelling for many years…..they have continued to look at alternative ways of giving this information to make it as attractive and eye-catching as possible.”

Reformulation – "Maintaining the quality of products that have been reformulated is hugely important ……if customers are not satisfied with the taste of products, they will buy an alternative.”

Portion sizes – "Our members have always offered a wide selection of portion sizes across a range of products……We strongly believe in choice and giving customers a variety of options.”

Increasing consumption of healthy foods – "One step that has made a real difference has been running price promotions on fruit and vegetables and the introduction of ranges of highly nutritious but lower cosmetic quality produce."

Eating out – "21 per cent of the calories consumed by women and 25 per cent of calories consumed by men come from food eaten outside the home …………BRC members have been leading the way by providing nutrition information in their cafes restaurants and staff canteens."

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