A NEW fish and chip shop has been told to sell fruit and veg by NHS bosses if it wants to open.
Objections to a takeaway trading in Morfa Bychan, Gwynedd, have been raised by the local health board in a bid to stop the locals from getting fat.
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Heads at Betsi Calwaladr health board want less sugar, fat and salt on the menu, fearing a rise in fast food outlets in the area would be “detrimental” to the health of residents.
The board has complained the food being pushed meets the needs of holidaymakers rather than the locals as it is in a prime location.
It also claimed that if more unhealthy food was easily available, It would increase the chances of the local population becoming overweight.
The board said in a document seen by the BBC: “This is of particular concern for local permanent residents where this food is available throughout the year and not just during holiday periods.
“Increased access to unhealthy food retail outlets can be associated with increased weight status in the general population and increased obesity and unhealthy eating behaviours among children residing in low-income areas.
“While we appreciate this is only one extra takeaway unit, this would still be one additional takeaway than what is currently available.”
Porthmadog Town Council has also raised issues against the proposed chippie, saying the scheme was an “over-development” whilst also raising concerns about there being “too many businesses in a small area”.
The town council also feared the plans could cause parking and traffic chaos, saying there was already and fish and chip shop in the area.
An application to change the use of the empty building was originally submitted in August.
Public Health Wales has previously calculated that obesity cost the Welsh NHS roughly £73million, with that figure expected to rise to £465million by 2050.
A spokesperson from Betsi Calwaladr Health Board said: “Our Public Health Team routinely responds to planning applications which are of public health significance from planning authorities. This includes food applications.”
The Sun Online has contacted Gwynedd Council, Porthmadog Town Council and the health board for comment.
Since 2017, KFC has challenged at least 43 councils in England in their attempts to prevent takeaways being opened near schools, officials have claimed, after it was revealed in 2023 the health crisis was costing the UK £100billion per year.
It’s thought KFC won more than half of them, according to a report in The Times.
In many cases the fast food giant argued the policies had either not been through the proper channels or that there was not a strong enough link between childhood obesity and takeaways close to schools.
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