Woolworths to replace confectionery aimed at kids with healthy snacks at checkouts

Woolworths nutritionist Stevie Wring said the products that would be removed were those specifically targeted at children.

“So whether it might have a cartoon character on it or like a smaller size for a child, so thinking things like lollipops, chocolate with toys in it, chocolate caramels or frogs,” Wring said.

She said the supermarket was aiming for 80 per cent of the range at the checkouts to have a health rating of three and a half stars or above.

“You’ll see more nutbars, popcorn and healthier cereal bars on our checkouts,” she said.

Woolworths said it was simply responding to customer demands for healthier options given what has been happening to our waistlines.

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows 67 per cent of Australians (12.5 million people) were overweight or obese in 2017 and 2018.

The prediction is it will hit 18 million people by 2030 if the current trend continues.

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Assistant Health Minister Ged Kearney said the Woolworths initiative was “really leading the way”.

“Even just the simple thing of having free fruit for the kids when you come into the store so they’ve got something in their hands, that’s healthy for the whole shopping time is really great,” Kearney said.

A spokesperson for Coles said the supermarket is always looking at ways to make healthy food more accessible for customers.

“More recently, we have made an effort across our aisles to make healthier alternatives available next to their traditional counterparts in every grocery aisle,” the spokesperson said.

“We have moved many products that were previously only found in the health food aisle next to their traditional counterpart.”

Aldi said it had little unhealthy food or drinks on end-of-aisle displays given limited space.

It said it has no price promotions on unhealthy foods and drinks on checkout displays.