The city of Berkeley, California, is trying to make its residents healthier, reports CNN.com (Sept. 25, 2020). As part of a health initiative, Berkeley is getting ready to become the first city in the US (in March, 2021) to require large grocery stores to stop selling junk food and candy in checkout aisles. So now instead of candy and soda and other high calories items, shoppers can expect to see fresh fruit and whole grain alternatives at checkout counters.
“Placement of unhealthy snacks near a register increases the likelihood that customers will purchase these foods and drinks when willpower is weak at the end of a long shopping trip,” said a City Council member. The new rule will affect at least 25 retailers in Berkeley. These include Whole Foods, CVS, Walgreens and Safeway.