Too many Supermarket practices are unhealthy, unjust and unsustainable

A Sustainable Development Commission review of policies affecting supermarkets has concluded that government cannot successfully combat obesity, waste and climate change without a concerted approach to harness the power of supermarkets.

The report Green, Healthy and Fair – A review of the government's role in supporting sustainable supermarket food finds that:
• Obesity and waste are being fuelled by multi-buy promotions, over-packaging and non-recyclable packaging
• 5-a-day public health messages cannot succeed while high calorie, low nutrient processed foods are promoted aggressively, making fresh produce appear expensive and unappealing by comparison
• Climate change policies aimed at reducing emissions from supermarket operations fail to adequately address transport issues, including goods transportation and the effect of planning laws on customers' car use

Over 70% of UK groceries are sold by four supermarket chains – Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons. While the government maintains an official 'hands-off' approach to supermarkets, the Sustainable Development Commission found over 20 Scottish Government and almost one hundred Whitehall policy responsibilities related
to supermarkets and food.

However, despite some encouraging initiatives, too many supermarket products and practices are still unhealthy, unjust and unsustainable.

Conflicting policies from different areas of government are also making it impossible to achieve targets – for example, advice to eat more fish is cutting across attempts to preserve endangered fish stocks. Supermarkets and consumers are confused over the relative merits of 'local' food versus the value to overseas development of foods such as green beans airfreighted from Kenya.

Professor Tim Lang, Commissioner at the Sustainable Development Commission, said:
“Government cannot resolve the problems of obesity, waste or climate change alone. Given the enormous influence wielded by supermarkets, working with them effectively is essential.

“There are many areas where the government and retailers are already working together, but government needs to be more ambitious. With public scrutiny of retailers' behaviour increasing, many supermarkets are keen to work with government to develop a green, healthy and fair food system. In fact, our research with supermarkets has shown that in areas such as climate change or recycling policy, they are often frustrated by the lack of clarity or long-term strategy on which they can plan for the future.”

The Sustainable Development Commission identifies six priority areas for government and supermarket action: waste; nutrition and obesity; climate change; fair supply chains; ecosystems and water.

The Sustainable Development Commission Scotland is the Scottish Government's independent advisor, reporting directly the First Minister on key policy areas to ensure sustainable development is at the heart of their work.

The Commission's Scottish team works as part of the 50 strong, UK-wide team, supporting 19 commissioners, chaired by Sir Jonathon Porritt who reports directly to the Prime Minister.

Green Healthy and Fair – A review of the government's role in supporting sustainable supermarket food is based on the Sustainable Development Commission's analysis of current policy as well as independent qualitative research carried out by Opinion Leader into the views of supermarkets and their stakeholders, and a workshop for retailers, government & NGOs on developing a vision for a sustainable food system.

Find out more about sustainable food in Scotland
http://www.sd-commission.org.uk/pages/scot_food.html