Sandwich
Falls into a regulated category, but we need more details to calculate the NPM score.
To be in scope, a product must be in one of 13 regulated food categories and score as "less healthy" on the Nutrient Profiling Model. Here's how it scored:
Less Healthy Food Category
Only products in one of 13 specific food categories defined in the Schedule are in scope. Being high in fat, salt, or sugar alone doesn't make something restricted.
Sandwiches of any kind are explicitly listed in Category 13(e). This applies in any context - restaurant menus, retail products, or food service.
Nutrient Profile Model (NPM)
The NPM scores products based on their nutrients per 100g, but "Sandwich" is too broad to estimate, so the score could vary significantly depending on the specific variation.
Be more specific to see NPM score
Sandwich type affects nutrition significantly - values vary between a veggie sandwich (lower energy, higher FVN%) and a meat/cheese sandwich (higher energy, fat, sodium).
Designed specifically for hospitality businesses using the Less Healthy Food Definitions and ASA guidance as of January 2026. This tool can make mistakes, so always double check official sources.
Understanding UK HFSS Regulations
When the rules apply and what options you still have
When the Rules Apply
A product is restricted if it meets both parts of this test:
In one of 13 regulated categories (pizza, chips, burgers, desserts, fried chicken, sugary drinks, etc.)
Scores as "less healthy" under the Nutrient Profiling Model
Applies to paid social ads, boosted posts, sponsored listings, and paid partnerships (including gifted). The rules apply 24/7 with no watershed, unlike TV advertising.
What You Can Still Do
Even with 250+ employees, you can still:
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Feature dishes outside the 13 categories steaks, pasta, curries, salads, grilled fish
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Post on your own channels organic posts on social, website, and email
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Commission content for your channels pay creators for your accounts
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Run brand-focused ads promote your venue and experience
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about UK HFSS and LHF food advertising rules for restaurants, cafes, pubs, and hospitality businesses. For more detail, read our full compliance guide or speak to the Joli team.
What's the difference between HFSS and LHF?
You'll see both terms used, but they mean slightly different things. HFSS (High Fat, Salt, Sugar) is the scoring system that determines whether a food counts as 'less healthy'. LHF (Less Healthy Food) refers to the actual advertising restrictions. For a product to be caught by the restrictions, it needs to tick both boxes: fall into one of 13 specific food categories AND score as HFSS.
What does 'in scope' and 'out of scope' mean?
If something is 'in scope', the restrictions are likely to apply to it. If it's 'out of scope', you're in the clear. The ASA guidance sets out several ways content can be out of scope: it might not be in a regulated category, it might not score as less healthy, it could be advertised by a smaller business, appear on the brand's own channels, or be brand-only advertising that doesn't show specific products.
How does the Nutrient Profiling Model work?
The NPM scores food per 100g using two groups of nutrients. 'A points' (0-10 each) are added for energy, saturated fat, sugar, and sodium, where more means less healthy. 'C points' (0-5 each) are subtracted for fibre, protein, and fruit/veg/nuts content, where more means healthier. Final score = A minus C. Foods scoring 4+ and drinks scoring 1+ are classified as 'less healthy'. There's also a protein restriction: if A points hit 11+ and fruit/veg/nuts is below 80%, protein points don't count.
Are drinks treated differently?
Yes, drinks have a stricter threshold. A drink only needs to score 1 point to be classed as 'less healthy', compared to 4 points for food. This catches people out because things like caramel lattes, sugary iced coffees, and flavoured milkshakes are likely to score above the threshold. Plain coffee, tea, and unsweetened drinks would typically be fine.
What are the 13 regulated food categories?
The categories cover soft drinks with added sugar, savoury snacks, breakfast cereals, confectionery, ice cream, cakes, sweet biscuits, morning goods (think croissants and pastries), desserts, sweetened yoghurt, pizza, potato products like chips and fries, plus category 13 which includes ready meals, breaded or battered products, and sandwiches including burgers. You can find the full definitions in the regulations.
What foods are NOT in the regulated categories?
Anything not listed in the 13 regulated categories is out of scope, no matter how it scores nutritionally. So things like grilled meats, fish that isn't battered, pasta dishes, curries, and salads can all be featured freely in paid content.