00:00From March next year, Welsh supermarkets will no longer be able to display junk food at
00:06tills or store entrances as part of new rules to tackle obesity.
00:10The Welsh Government says it wants to reduce impulse purchases of unhealthy foods and make
00:15it easier for people to make healthier choices.
00:17The regulations, which narrowly passed in the Senate by 25 votes to 24, will apply to
00:22larger shops with 50 or more employees, with smaller and specialist retailers like sweet
00:26shops exempt.
00:28Restaurants high in fat, sugar or salt, including chocolates, pastries and pizzas, will have
00:33to be moved away from prominent areas.
00:35As part of the new law, restaurants will be banned from offering unlimited refills of
00:39sugary drinks, with businesses that fail to comply could face fines, and multi-buy offers
00:44like meal deals could be put at risk.
00:48Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said obesity is one of the biggest health risks in Wales
00:51and that food industry marketing plays a significant role in influencing what people eat.
00:56He insists these changes will have a lasting impact on public health, but not everyone
01:00agrees.
01:03Plaid Cymru says the measures don't go far enough and risk failing without wider policies
01:08to support them.
01:09Meanwhile, the Welsh Conservatives have criticised the plans as nanny state nonsense, arguing
01:13they will increase costs for working people.
01:16They say tackling obesity should focus on improving access to sport and physical activity
01:20rather than restricting food choices.
01:24Despite the criticism, the Welsh Government says these changes are necessary to reduce
01:28obesity levels and ease pressure on the NHS.
01:31With the rules coming into force in March 2026, businesses now have a full year to prepare
01:35for the changes, but the debate over how to best tackle obesity in Wales is unlikely to
01:39end any time soon.
01:41JPT Watkins, reporting for Local TV.
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