In March 2021, Berkeley, California, made history by becoming the first city in the world to implement a healthy checkout policy. This groundbreaking policy sets nutritional standards for store checkouts, ensuring that only healthy and nutritious options are available for customers to purchase impulsively. This move has been praised by parents who can now shop with their children without being bombarded by unhealthy snacks at the checkout lane. Additionally, Berkeley shoppers looking for a quick snack can now choose from a variety of healthier options.
The healthy checkout policy in Berkeley specifies that only certain products can be placed at the checkout. These include unsweetened beverages, healthy foods such as fruits, nuts, and whole grains with limited added sugar and sodium, as well as non-food items like lip balm, magazines, and batteries. Research conducted by the University of California, Davis, found that 83% of products in stores were compliant with the policy just one year after its implementation. This marked a significant 63% improvement compared to before the policy was in place.
The impact of the healthy checkout policy was even more pronounced when looking specifically at food and beverage options. The percentage of healthy foods and beverages available at checkout more than doubled, increasing from 29% to 62%. This shift towards healthier options is crucial as the checkout area is a prime location for impulse buys, influencing customers‘ purchasing decisions as they prepare to exit the store.
Jennifer Falbe, the lead author of a study on the Berkeley policy, emphasized the positive changes brought about by the new standards. She noted that before the policy, the majority of food and beverage products at checkout were unhealthy. However, with the implementation of the policy, this percentage was cut in half. Stores replaced sugary drinks, candy, and other unhealthy snacks with unsweetened drinks, nuts, seeds, fruits, and non-food items.
Falbe highlighted the influence of marketing contracts between large processed food and beverage companies and stores, which often prioritize the placement of unhealthy products at checkout. The healthy checkout policy in Berkeley aims to counteract this influence and promote better food choices for consumers. The policy applies to all foods and beverages in checkout areas of large food stores in the city.
The success of the healthy checkout policy in Berkeley has inspired other cities to follow suit. Perris, a small city in Southern California, as well as cities in the United Kingdom, have implemented similar policies to promote healthier choices at store checkouts. The positive impact of the policy in Berkeley demonstrates that with time and support from the city, store checkouts can continue to improve in healthfulness.
In conclusion, the healthy checkout policy in Berkeley has set a new standard for promoting healthier food choices at store checkouts. By replacing junk food with nutritious options, the policy has made a significant impact on the healthfulness of products available for impulse purchases. As more cities adopt similar policies, the hope is that consumers will have easier access to healthier options and be empowered to make better food choices.