The association specializing in consumer protection published a survey this Tuesday in which it denounces “irresponsible marketing” by major retailers. According to it, confectionery and chocolates are overly highlighted on the shelves, at the end of the gondola and at the checkout, particularly targeting children.
Hide those sweets. This Tuesday, UFC-Que Choisir is publishing a survey on food marketing in mass retail. The association confirms this after a field survey: the stores visited are promoting sweet and chocolatey products, with a particular focus on children. A practice that has been voluntarily banned by these same stores, following a request from the Ministry of Health.
Tic tac, Mentos, M&m’s…
In 2008, when government authorities requested the removal of confectionery from strategic locations in stores, distributors meekly agreed “in order to avoid any regulatory constraints”, says the UFC. It took sixteen years for major retailers to visibly backtrack.
After studying more than 600 large retail stores in 61 departments, the association claims that 86% of stores are once again resorting to the presence of confectionery at the checkout. The worst performers: 93% of the Lidl stores observed, followed by 89% of Intermarché, 87% of Carrefour and 84% of Leclerc and Système U.
Faced with this observation, the UFC deplores “[20 ans plus tard]the total inability of professionals to self-regulate and limit the overexposure of children to the marketing of foods that are too sweet and/or too fatty.”
Among the sweets with sugar, UFC investigators noted in particular Tic-Tac candies (present in 70% of stores), Mentos (63%), M&M’s chocolates (44%), Twix chocolate bars (18%) and Snickers (17%), explains the association.
Ferrero products (in 40% of the stores observed), such as Kinder Surprise or Kinderini (chocolate biscuits), are then followed by Haribo sweets (15%), Houbba-Bouba chewing gum (12%), Carambars and Malabars (5%), and Lutti sweets (5%).
Children, prime targets
In one in two stores (51%), the displays placed at the checkout exits are dedicated to marketing aimed at children. The UFC points to a wide variety of tools to attract children’s attention: mascots, palettes in the middle of the aisles or even promotional offers (a gift offered for three packets of sweets purchased).
In conclusion, Que Choisir urges the public authorities to ban marketing actions for Nutri-Score D and E food products targeting children at points of sale. It calls on major retailers to “immediately remove confectionery, all brands combined, from checkouts and to redirect their marketing actions in favor of foods of good nutritional quality.”
