Health chiefs in Scotland are set to recommend that Scotland follows the UK and moves to a controversial new nutrient profiling model (NPM), The Grocer understands.
It is believed Food Standards Scotland (FSS) will recommend the move in a report being lined up for the autumn, as part of its independent role as an advisor on public health policy in Scotland.
The new model includes much tougher rules on free sugars, which would see many products reclassified as high in fat, sugar or salt (HFSS).
The move comes after Scotland officials had appeared to rule out a shift to the new model, ahead of the launch in Scotland of restrictions on HFSS promotions in October.
Such restrictions came in south of the border in 2022 and were tightened in October last year.
The Sottish government told The Grocer no decision had yet been made about the switch to the new model.
A decision in Scotland to follow the UK government’s move to the new model would likely add to claims ministers are moving the goalposts.
James Wilson, head of population health strategy and improvement in the Scottish government, last month told a meeting of Scottish retailers the country would continue to use the existing NPM, after retail and supplier chiefs warned it would undermine millions already spent on reformulation and lead to products being delisted in supermarkets.
“As far as Scotland is concerned, we’ve heard the message loud and clear. If you’re going to make a change, don’t keep changing,” Wilson said at the time.
“What they do for England they do for England. We’ve certainly heard the message.”
A Scottish government spokeswoman told The Grocer: “When the HFSS promotions ban comes into force in October, the Scottish government will use the 2004 nutrient profiling model.
“However, we would not want to pre-empt any future decisions on potential changes beyond that point, particularly given concerns from some areas of industry regarding regulatory divergence across the UK.”
The latest twist comes while talks on the switch to the new NPM in the UK are understood to be on hold pending the appointment of Andy Burnham as prime minister. Cabinet chiefs have said there will be “no new policy announcements” pending the change at No 10.
A source told The Grocer: “We don’t expect to see any announcements on mandatory reporting before the summer recess.”
Ministers had earlier promised that a consultation on moving to the new NPM would be published before the summer recess starts next week.
“It is our clear intention to launch that consultation shortly,” said Natasha Burgon, director of health improvement at the DHSC, last month.
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