SNP leader John Swinney has denied his food prices policy is an attempt to force a fight with the UK government.
He said people were “struggling to afford a very basic shop” and that he had a “public health responsibility” to provide an affordable nutritious diet.
Under the SNP manifesto pledge, large supermarkets would be compelled to limit the cost of up to 50 essential items such as milk, eggs, cheese and rice.
The party also promised to cap bus fares at £2 and expand childcare.
The food price policy has received criticism from some, including trade association the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC), which described it as a “gimmick”.
The SRC’s Ewan MacDonald-Russell told the programme the policy risked forcing small shops – which are not covered by the proposed legislation – to be uncompetitive.
