Britain is set to ban 'buy one get one free' promotions on junk food items, in a bid to help people make healthier choices.
The new measures will come into effect from April 2022, and will apply to foods that are high in fat, sugar or salt. Free refills of sugary soft drinks in restaurants will also be banned.
According to Reuters, the government will also restrict how shops promote such products, with such advertising on unhealthy foods banned from checkouts, shop entrances or at the end of aisles.
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The Daily Mail reports that these restrictions on promotions will only apply to medium and large business (those with 50 or more employees) and to stores over 2,000 sq ft, with specialist retailers exempt.
Public Health Minister Jo Churchill said: "We are restricting promotions and introducing a range of measures to make sure the healthy choice is the easy choice.
"Creating an environment which helps everyone eat healthier foods more regularly is crucial to improving the health of the nation."
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The ban on 'buy one get one free' deals on junk food was first proposed in July, when the government also announced measures such as banning TV and online adverts for junk food before 9pm.
Last month, the government then proposed a total ban on online advertising of unhealthy food.
Today it has announced the latest measures as part of its plan to tackle obesity and improve public health - with almost two-thirds of adults in England currently overweight, and one in three children leaving primary school either overweight or obese.
Professor Graham MacGregor, chairman of charity Action on Sugar, told the Daily Mail: "Finally, Downing Street is acting decisively with a bold first step to restrict the sale of junk food on multi-buy offers and at checkouts, and taking on one of the biggest threats to Britain's future health - childhood obesity.
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"Putting junk food multi-buy offers in the aisles and at the checkouts is just another way of food companies sneaking their unhealthy products into your basket.
"Now is the time for healthier food to take centre stage."
In the new year, Public Health England will also launch a 'Better Health Campaign', which will feature adverts on TV and online to help encourage people to maintain a healthy weight.
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