UK bans ‘Buy One Get One Free’ deals on junk food
Ed Milner | Last update: 5th October 2025
In a move aimed at shifting everyday habits, the UK government has now banned multibuy promotions on foods high in fat, salt and sugar, including ‘Buy One Get One Free’ offers, across supermarkets and online retailers
What’s changing and why?
From this week, supermarkets in England will no longer be allowed to run multibuy promotions on foods that are high in fat, sugar or salt (known as HFSS). This includes deals such as:
- ‘Buy One Get One Free’
- ‘3 for 2’
- Percentage-off bulk discounts
The aim is to discourage impulse buying of unhealthy products, particularly during the weekly shop or while browsing online.
Read the official announcement from gov.uk here
The new ban applies to:
- Crisps and savoury snacks
- Sugary drinks
- Confectionery
- Biscuits, cakes and pastries
- Many ready meals
Retailers can still discount these products individually — but can’t bundle them into multibuy deals that encourage over-purchasing.
Why this matters
It’s no secret that processed and ultra-processed foods make it harder to reach and maintain a healthier weight. At SlimrChat, we’ve written before about how processed food can hold back your progress when using weight loss drugs like Wegovy or Mounjaro.
Read: Why processed food slows your progress
This new move is just one more example of how the world is slowly shifting to make healthier choices easier, by changing what’s on offer, how it’s displayed, and what’s promoted.
Further advertising restrictions on how HFSS products can be advertised on TV and online will come in to force in January 2026.
SlimrChat’s view
We’re all for anything that makes it easier to stay on track. While rules alone won’t change how we eat overnight, reducing the temptation of ‘junk food deals’ is a welcome step – especially for those of us working hard to reset habits and routines.
If you’re making changes, this is one less distraction in the snack aisle.