More calls for ban on junk food ads
Posted by kathryn in Junk Food and Labels & advertising
The American Academy of Pediatrics has joined the call for a ban on junk food advertising to children. From today’s herald:
Children request more high-calorie, low-nutrient foods after seeing them on TV, said Donald Shifrin, the chairman of the committee that produced the new policy. One study found exposure to TV ads actually increased children’s overall energy intake, heightening the risk of them becoming overweight or obese. “Healthy foods are advertised less than 3 per cent of the time,” Dr Shifrin wrote. “Children rarely see a food ad for broccoli.”
In the UK a ban on junk food ads during children’s programmes will start next year. Here in Australia, the introduction of a new voluntary code by the food and beverage industry, makes any government intervention seem increasingly unlikely.
Related – see my post about one of the latest cordial advertising campaigns and Lisa Pryor’s article.
07 December, 2006
Comments
I’ve been enjoying your blog and your insights for quite some time now. After reading you ealier post on ads, I’ve come to realise we have very similar interests and concerns (I read the same articles), to the point that coincidentally my recent post is about ads over here in Argentina.
It is encoraging that some governments, at least and at last, are waking up to defend the more gullible consumers. Hope this sentiment catches on..
Thank you for giving us this great blog!
Thanks Miss Cupcake, that’s really lovely feedback. I read your post and yes, we’re even citing the same articles.
[…] The calls to ban junk food advertising to kids has been gaining momentum recently. With parents and medical bodies increasingly concerned about childhood obesity and health, preventing the marketing of foods high in fat, sugar and sodium to children is seen as one important step. […]
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