More promotional labels may be required in Scotland after several of its retailers committed to a healthy eating initiative.

Tesco, Asda, Boots, The Co-operative, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Waitrose have all agreed to help their customers eat more fruit and vegetables by implementing new measures to promote nutritious foods.

Among the methods will be placing fruit near supermarket checkouts to encourage impulse-buying and keeping fresh produce affordable, perhaps by using promotional labels to lower prices.

The scheme is organised by the Scottish Retail Consortium and has been backed by government ministers.

Sport Minister Shona Robison said: "This commitment from Scotland's retailers can help improve diet and tackle unhealthy weight."

According to the Scottish government's latest statistics, two-thirds of men and more than half of women in the country are now classed as obese.

Some 29.7 per cent of children were also outside the healthy weight range for their age.

Denny Bros Ltd, 22 July 2011