biggest retailer in the United Kingdom, is to remove all sweets and chocolate from its checkouts after it transpired its customers would be greatly in favour of the move. Tesco said its own research found 65% of shoppers believe removing confectionery from checkouts would be conducive to healthier choices. Similarly, some 67% of parents said that having no confectionery near the checkout would help them make healthier choices for their children.Philip Clarke, the company's chief executive, said the decision followed a commitment to make soft drinks, sandwiches and ready meals healthier by changing the recipes to reduce their sugar, salt and fat content:
"We all know how easy it is to be tempted by sugary snacks at the checkout, and we want to help our customers lead healthier lives."
Parents' groups and health campaigners supported Tesco's move: Katie O'Donovan of Mumsnet said:
"Popping into a shop with a small child in tow can sometimes feel like navigating an assault course. If you've made it to the checkout in one piece it can be really frustrating to then be faced with an unhealthy array of sweets designed to tempt your child. It's really positive to see a supermarket responding to the views of their customers and trying to make life that little bit easier."
