Tesco is finally getting a grip on reality - but it might be too late

Tesco bosses say they have seen signs shoppers’ baskets are becoming healthier after ditching multibuy offers on unhealthy food. Who could have guessed that not promoting unhealthy food would mean shoppers buy less of it?

The news has been touted by the company as some sort of grand revelation - despite it quite literally just being common sense. Chief product officer Ashwin Prasad says he's "encouraged by the progress" his company has made, when in reality they started this race years behind their competition.

Other supermarket chains - especially cheaper competitors such as Aldi and Lidl - haven't been promoting products high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) for years. The Department for Health and Social Care also banned retailers from displaying these foods in prominent locations such as shop entrances last year. Meanwhile Tesco has claimed in a new report that its interventions have helped drive “healthier choices” by its shoppers.

We may mock the government on a seemingly daily basis, but I'd argue this was something they got right - but like the lazy kid who didn't contribute to the group project in school, Tesco is trying to take the credit for it. The supermarket has stopped multibuy offers for most products but does still use these offers for some frozen food items and for Christmas party food.

Mr Prasad said: "The UK has record levels of obesity which is having a huge impact on the NHS and our wider economy, as well as jeopardising the long-term health and prospects of the next generation. At Tesco we have seen what’s possible when we create the conditions and incentives to help people to fill their baskets with products that are healthier and more sustainable, but still affordable.

“I’m encouraged by the progress so far and look forward to even greater collaboration with our suppliers and partners as we work towards our 2025 goal.”

In other news, water is wet.