25/11/2005

Supermarkets criticised for ‘unhealthy offers’

Top supermarkets have been criticised for promoting more unhealthy food than fruit and vegetables by a new survey.

The National Consumer Council (NCC) survey of 2,346 offers at nine of the UK’s leading supermarket chains, found that none met their target of offering 33% of promotions on fruit and vegetables.

The annual survey found that every retailer, except for Marks and Spencer, offered doubled the number of price deals on foods that were high in fat and sugar, than fresh produce. The survey revealed that 27% of deals at Marks & Spencer related to fresh fruit and vegetables, compared with just 7% at Somerfield and 9% at Morrisons.

The Co-op came top in the NCC health responsibility index, followed by Marks & Spencer, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and Asda. However, Tesco, Britain’s biggest supermarket chain only came sixth in the rating. The NCC said that the chain had shown only a “modest improvement” on its performance. Ed Mayo, chief executive of the NCC, said: “We’re disappointed that the biggest supermarket – Tesco – is a laggard on health.”

However, Iceland and Somerfield were rated lower in the index, while Morrisons were rated last. The NCC said that the chain had made a “slight improvement” on salt and nutrition labelling, but said that its standard products were the saltiest across all ranges.

However, Morrisons have criticised the NCC’s report as “inaccurate”, saying that it did not present a true reflection of the firm’s approach to ‘health responsibility’ and failed to recognise the progress it had made.

(KMcA/SP)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

04 April 2005
Car mechanics blasted over service and charges
The National Consumer Council (NCC) has blasted vehicle mechanics for giving consumers "shoddy service" and "rip-off charges". The NCC has now threatened to issue a "super complaint" to the government about the matter.
26 May 2005
British public toilets branded a ‘national disgrace’
Britain’s public toilets shame the nation, according to new research from the National Consumer Council (NCC). The survey found that people want more of them, but they should be cleaner, and with better facilities for women, parents and children.
09 January 2014
Sales Fall For Major Supermarkets
Supermarket chain Morrisons has reported a 5.6% fall in its like-for-like sales in the six weeks to 5 January. One of its major rivals, Tesco, has also unveiled a decline in their like-for-like sales during the Christmas period of 2.4%. The news comes just a day after Sainsbury's said it's sales had increased by 0.2% over the 14 weeks to 4 January.
15 September 2003
Britain's poorest suffer most under privatised utilities: NCC report
A report from the National Consumer Council (NCC) has claimed to have uncovered evidence of "a hidden Britain" where millions of people struggle to afford water, energy and a home phone services.
30 January 2006
Three million facing chip and pin problems
Three million elderly and disabled consumers face "misery and frustration" with new chip and PIN cards, the National Consumer Council has warned.