It’s no secret that supermarkets and stores often place unhealthy items at checkout counters to tempt shoppers into making last-minute purchases. However, a recent study has found that the vast majority of checkouts in California fail to meet basic healthy checkout standards. This raises concerns about the impact on public health, particularly for children and vulnerable populations. In this article, we delve into the findings of the study and explore potential ways to promote healthier checkout options.
A recent study published in the Current Developments in Nutrition Journal has investigated store checkout food and beverage setups in California. Consumption of added sodium, sugar, and ultra-processed foods in the US is high among children and adults, which increases the likelihood of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other health conditions at the population level. The study aimed to assess the checkout policy requirements and achieve a clear understanding of the current condition of checkout environments. Researchers focused on a census of 102 food stores in Berkeley, Davis, Oakland, and Sacramento recognized by policy proponents as subject to the Healthy Checkout Ordinance (HCO) during policy development and functional in February 2021.
The study categorized product facings at checkout into non-food or beverage items and foods and beverages that are major sources of added sodium or sugar in the American diet, including sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), sweets, salty snacks, and candy. Other food and beverage groups included fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, water, milk, diet beverages, 100% juice, yogurt, cheese, trail mix, and bars. Of 39,231 checkout facings, almost 12,476 included non-food/beverage facings, while 26,755 included food and beverage. Approximately 80% of the facings were food, while the remaining 20% were beverages. The register and lane area was the most common location for checkout food and beverage facings, followed by checkout endcaps, snaking checkout area, and standalone displays.
The study found that most food and beverage facings observed at checkout in food stores were high-sodium or high-added-sugar products such as SSBs, candy, salty snacks, and sweets. Checkout displays contained a small percentage of water and fruits/vegetables among food and beverage products. The study highlights the significance of implementing healthy checkout policies across various store types, encompassing the snaking area and checkout endcaps. Candy was the most common food and beverage item that did not fulfill the healthy checkout standards, followed by SSBs, sweets, salty snacks, and diet beverages. The less frequent items were healthier options such as water, fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, milk, and legumes.
The highest proportion of food and beverage facings that fulfilled the healthy checkout standards was found in chain specialty food stores, chain mass merchandisers, and chain supermarkets. The lowest proportion was observed in independent grocery stores and chain dollar stores. There were considerable comparative variations between these store groups. Chain supermarkets were more likely to fulfill healthy checkout standards than chain drugstores and independent supermarkets. Chain drugstores had a remarkably lower likelihood of fulfilling healthy checkout standards than chain supermarkets. The study findings reveal that most food and beverage facings at California store checkouts fail to meet healthy checkout standards. The study highlights the significance of implementing healthy checkout policies that encompass various store types, including the snaking area and checkout endcaps.
As consumers, we have the power to demand healthier options at the checkout. Let’s use our voices and our wallets to support stores that prioritize our health and well-being. By making small changes, we can create a big impact for ourselves, our families and our communities. It’s time to put our health first and demand that every checkout, in California and beyond, meets healthy checkout standards.
