FSS situation report on the food and drink environment in Scotland
27 October 2020
Article: 54/4307
On 21 October 2020, Food Standards Scotland (FSS) updated its situation report on the food and drink environment in Scotland, highlighting the ongoing challenges for people to have a healthier diet. The report includes new consideration of the out-of-home environment, such as food bought ‘on the go’ and from deliveries and takeaways.
The data was captured prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and therefore provides a baseline for further investigation on its impact on diet in Scotland.
In findings from the report:
- There continues to be a lack of progress towards the Scottish dietary goals and improving obesity and diet-related poor health.
- Two out of three people in Scotland remain either overweight or obese, with a higher proportion of people living with obesity in the most deprived areas.
- Consumers continue to buy a lot of discretionary foods and drinks, such as confectionery, cakes, biscuits, pastries, savoury snacks and sugary drinks from shops and supermarkets, and these tend to be heavily promoted.
- Food and drink purchased from the out-of-home environment tend to be less healthy, with fried chicken and burger meals and sides among the top takeaway meals and dishes.
- People in Scotland support the food environment providing healthier food to make it easier to choose a healthier diet.
Source: FSS, 21 October 2020