New legislation in Scotland may give the state unprecedented influence over people’s diets, as part of the war against the country's growing obesity epidemic.
Holyrood’s SNP administration has asked chefs to reduce the calories in their meals, but claim that failure to follow these recommendations will lead to legislation being enforced if ‘sufficient’ progress is not made.
This new strategy of intervention has come about as a result of the state’s claim that the general population is unwilling to make the changes necessary for good health, of their own free will.
Minister’s have estimated that if current trends continued, 40 percent of the population could be classed as obese by 2030, at a cost of £3 billion a year to the already fragile economy.
Michelin-starred chef Martin Wishart has publically announced his refusal to change the menu of his award winning restaurant, citing the freedom of choice of his customers as paramount.
Within the proposed strategy there were also calls for the sale of sweets near tills to be banned and a restriction on promotions, such as two for one offers, to health foods only.
The strategy has been agreed by Scotland’s 32 councils and the Scottish Executive, but early indications suggest that it may take up to 30 years to make progress!