Junk At The Checkout

Which products are most commonly displayed at the checkouts?

Research undertaken by The Parents Jury in conjunction with the Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer found that 100 per cent of supermarkets displayed high sugar, high fat and high salt foods at most of their checkouts. The following table shows how prevalent different types of foods are: 

Click on the link below to download the journal article in which the research was published.

"Pester Power: Snack foods displayed at supermarket checkouts in Australia" (Health Promotion Journal of Australia 2006; 17:124-7, August 2006) - Health Promotion Journal of Australia article reporting on research into confectionery displays at supermarket checkouts conducted on behalf of The Parents Jury in 2004. (855 KB)

What are the alternatives?

Supermarkets claim that the profit they make from selling confectionery and snack foods at the checkout is a good enough reason to continue with this unhealthy practice. The Parents Jury suggests that it is time for supermarkets to become more socially responsible and to consider the wellbeing of the parents and children who make up a large proportion of their customer base. There are numerous alternative products that the supermarkets could consider displaying at the checkouts that do not compromise the health of our children. We have come up with the following list. If you would like to add a suggestion please email: members@parentsjury.com.au.

• Fresh fruit
• Bottled water
• Camera film
• Batteries
• Magazines
• Books
• Puzzle books
• Greeting cards
• Gift wrap
• Small stationery items
• DVDs, CDs
• Small computer items
• Plastic lunch boxes