Red food and drinks

RED - Limit

RED foods and drinks are the most unhealthy choices because they lack adequate nutritional value, are high in saturated fat and/or added sugar and/or salt and can contribute to excess energy intake. The availability of RED foods and drinks should be limited to no more than 20 per cent of those displayed. It is recommended that some areas including counters and vending machines do not display any RED foods or drinks.

Examples of RED foods include:

• full-fat pies and pastries
• deep-fried pastries
• croissants, doughnuts, cream-filled buns/cakes, sweet pastries
• chocolate coated and premium ice-creams
• all deep fried foods
• crisps and similar products
• soft drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks and cordials  
• chocolate and lollies.

It is recommended that RED food and drinks should not be:

• stocked in vending machines
• displayed in prominent areas e.g. on the counter or at eye height
• promoted or advertised
• used for fundraising
• used for player of the match awards or encouragement incentives
• used for half time energisers.

It is also important to make sure that RED food and drinks make up no more than 20 per cent of your separate display areas. The diagram below shows an example of how you might set up a display stand. Of those pre-packaged foods on display only 20 per cent of the space is made up of RED foods.