The average person consumes an additional 330 calories each week -- 17,000 a year -- as a result of businesses 'upselling' high-calorie food and drink (offering an additional topping or a side, for example), according to a new report.
'Upselling' happens when someone who is selling you something tries to persuade you to have something else as well. The report Size Matters, co-written by Sustain observer member the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH), includes the results of a survey of 2,055 UK adults. It shows that consumers face an average of 106 verbal pushes towards unhealthy choices each year, as they are asked whether they would like to upgrade to larger meals and drinks, add high-calorie toppings or sides to their order, or take advantage of special offers on unhealthy food and drink.
The survey found that In the course of a week, upselling techniques used by businesses resulted in 34% of people buying a larger coffee than intended, 33% upgrading to a large meal in a fast food restaurant, 36% buying chocolate at the till at a newsagent's or petrol station, and 35% adding chips or onion rings to the side of their pub or restaurant meal. Find out more here.
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Published Thursday 12 October 2017
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
