sweetness appears to be one of many factors contributing to the dislike of ONSs. Manufacturers are encouraged to reconsider the formulations of these products so that beneficial effects of ONSs can be delivered in a more palatable and acceptable form and wastage reduced.

HighlightsUnique dataset allows analysis of urban Indian shopping habits of processed foods.Beyond staples, purchases of processed foods and beverages for home use are low.Fastest rate of growth seen in sweet and salty snacks, and edible oil purchases.Highest volume of processed foods and beverages purchased by Delhi population.Large variations across states in level and trends of purchases over time.

COVID-19 has focused minds on the resilience of the urban food retail system in supplying adequate food to the whole population. In this commentary, we discuss the impacts on diet of four plausible changes to food retailing in the UK: relocalisation of the food retail system, accelerated uptake of digital grocery, restructuring of fast-food environment and impacts on food banking and emergency food aid. We finish by outlining the challenge for research, policy and planning.