New free tool launched to help food and drink businesses navigate HFSS regulations

Food and Drink Federation (FDF) Scotland has launched a new free online tool through its Reformulation for Health Programme to help food and drink manufacturers and retailers navigate restrictions on the promotion of products high in fat, sugar or salt (HFSS).

New regulations came into force in Scotland on 1 October 2026, restricting how certain HFSS products can be promoted and displayed in stores and online. These mirror restrictions already in place in England and Wales.

The new HFSS Advice Tool will help manufacturers calculate a product’s Nutrient Profile Model (NPM) score and determine whether it is in scope of the regulations. It shows how individual nutrients contribute to the score and where changes could improve a product’s nutritional profile and NPM score. It also highlights front-of-pack labelling and nutrition claims that may be achievable now or through reformulation, helping product developers make informed decisions.

The tool can also be used by retailers, with an interactive decision tree to help them understand what restrictions apply to their retail environment.

The tool is the latest resource developed by the Reformulation for Health Programme, which provides free support to help Scottish SME food and drink manufacturers make their products healthier.

Joanne Burns, FDF Scotland’s Reformulation for Health Manager, said:

“The HFSS Advice Tool is more than a calculator, it’s a catalyst for healthier product innovation.

“By helping food and drink businesses understand NPM scores, front-of-pack labelling and health claims, while showing how close products are to achieving healthier outcomes, the tool empowers manufacturers to make informed decisions, measure progress and unlock opportunities for healthier products.

“I’m really excited that we can make this tool free for everyone to access and use, helping businesses understand the scope of the regulations and calculate the NPM score of their products.

“We want to make reformulation clearer, more achievable and more impactful for businesses across Scotland.”

The HFSS Advice Tool is free to use and was developed with the University of Stirling and University of Glasgow, with funding provided by Scotland Food & Drink.

Businesses can access the tool at www.HFSSAdviceTool.org.uk.

Food and drink businesses looking for further support with reformulation can contact FDF Scotland at reformulation@fdfscotland.org.uk.

ENDS

For more information, please contact kirsty.tinsdale@fdfscotland.org.uk / 07508 303 736.

Notes for editors:

• The HFSS Advice Tool is a free online tool designed to help food and drink businesses understand whether their products and retail environments are in scope of HFSS regulations, calculate product NPM scores and support reformulation. It is available at HFSSAdviceTool.org.uk.
• The HFSS Advice Tool was developed with the University of Stirling and University of Glasgow, with funding provided by Scotland Food & Drink.
• FDF Scotland’s Reformulation for Health Programme, funded by the Scottish Government, is helping small and medium sized food and drink companies to make their products healthier. 
• Since the launch of the Reformulation for Health Programme in 2019 we have helped to remove billions of calories and tonnes of salt from the Scottish diet. 
• Food and Drink Federation (FDF) Scotland is a division of the FDF - the voice of the food and drink manufacturing industry – the UK's largest manufacturing sector. For more information about FDF Scotland and the industry we represent visit our website. 
• Photo caption: Pictured left to right: Joanne Burns, FDF Scotland’s Reformulation for Health Manager, and Harriet Heath, Reformulation for Health Executive