Tesco: GPs trial tracking Clubcard shopping to help curb obesity

Household money

Updated on 24 October 2017 | 15 Comments

Tesco shoppers in Oxford are letting GPs track their Tesco Clubcard spending to help them make healthier choices. Will the scheme work?

Tesco shoppers who agree to be part of a new trial will have their purchases vetted by GPs.

Clubcard data will be analysed by the docs to find out how much fat is in shoppers’ goods.

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How it works

GPs in Oxford have been asked to nominate 112 at-risk patients to take part in the trial, which will start in early 2018.

The volunteers will have their weight and cholesterol checked by GPs and a nurse will spend 15 minutes highlighting unhealthy purchases and suggesting alternatives.

They’ll do the test again three months later to see if the advice has had an impact on the volunteers’ shopping habits. Participants will get a £10 gift voucher in return for taking part.

If it’s a success, the scheme could be rolled out nationwide.

Critics have slated the trial as snooping, but Tesco stresses the scheme is optional and that it would never share customer data without permission.

Shortcomings

This scheme is not without its issues. As with other ideas in the past, like including a traffic light system on shoppers' receipts, data could be skewed if the person is shopping for their entire family or they're hosting a party, for instance. 

It could also be manipulated if shoppers simply go elsewhere when they want to buy a chocolate bar and don't want their GP to know.

Do you think this idea would work? Let us know in the comments below. 

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