The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has welcomed an announcement from the Scottish Government that incoming regulations on products that are high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) will align with those already in place and scheduled across England.
The Scottish Government has reaffirmed that regulations will come into force 12 months after they are laid in the Scottish Parliament, although an exact date is yet to be determined. It is expected that the rules will come into force in Autumn next year.
Under the regulations, retailers with 50 or more employees (note: symbol groups are to counted as an entire business and not as individual stores) and relevant floor space over 2,000 sq.ft. will have to comply with restrictions on HFSS products at the end of aisles, store entrances and within two metres of checkouts and queueing areas.
The proposed new rules will also mean that, regardless of store size, retailers with 50 or more employees will have to stop multi-buy and volume promotions for HFSS products. Examples are promotions such as ‘50% extra free, ‘buy one get one free’ and ‘three for £10’.
In England, HFSS regulations on location restrictions have been in place since October 2022, with volume promotion restrictions being introduced in October 2025. The Welsh Government has signified its intent to introduce comparable HFSS restrictions in Spring 2026, although the implementation date has not yet been confirmed.
Speaking on behalf of the government in Scotland, Jenny Minto (right), minister for public health and women’s health, said: “Action to improve the food environment is vital to achieving our ambition of a Scotland where it’s easier to eat well and maintain a healthy weight.
“We know over two-thirds of adults in Scotland live with obesity or being overweight. Evidence is clear on the effects that diet and obesity have on health. I’m pleased to set out action that seeks to improve health in Scotland by creating environments that help to prevent overweight and obesity from developing in the first instance.”
In response, ACS chief executive, James Lowman (left), said: “We welcome confirmation from the Scottish Government that HFSS regulations will be consistent across the UK, making implementation more straightforward for both the retailers who operate across borders and the manufacturers who supply them.
“Nonetheless, the regulations require significant planning, store adaptation and expense, so it’s crucial the Scottish Government provides clear, detailed guidance well in advance of the implementation date to avoid confusion for colleagues and customers in store.”
The full consultation response from the Scottish Government is available here.
ACS has produced comprehensive guidance for retailers on adapting their businesses to comply with HFSS regulations, which you can read here.
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