Health campaigners in Ireland have increased pressure on the government to introduce new laws to restrict “relentless” junk food advertising targeted at children.
Scotland needs a “bold approach” to tackle obesity, according to an influential group of politicians. But food industry representatives said tough regulation could present “barriers to business” for the country’s manufacturers.
Industry has given its support to a new ruling by the UK's Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) on marketing junk food to children that will increase restrictions to cover non-broadcast media, including print, cinema and online social media.
Adverts for unhealthy foods like sweets and fast foods are so tempting to children that they should be banned before 9pm, says charity Cancer Research UK.
While many people have snacks, sugar and sodas pinned as the bad guys in the war against obesity, one recent study found little to no correlation between consumption of junk food and obesity.
Pleas to ditch ‘unhealthy’ snacks at tills have met with “disappointing” responses from Marks & Spencer (M&S) and WHSmith, according to the nutritionist driving the campaign.
Banning junk food near schools, one of India’s biggest and long-running public health issues, seems like it will continue some more after industry officials and health activists on a court–appointed panel were unable to forge a common direction.
Junk food will be banned from sale in and around Indian schools after India’s food agency indicated it would follow guidance from a local court to restrict their availability.
Leading kids' entertainment brand Nickelodeon has said it will stop
licensing its characters for use on 'unhealthy' foods and
beverages, as part of its commitment to help slow the growth of
childhood obesity.
British consumer watchdog Which? has branded the new junk food
advertising ban a "sham", saying broadcasting regulator Ofcom
wasted its opportunity to veto food industry commercials that
target young children.
The majority of American consumers would support a 'fat tax,' or a
tax placed on unhealthy processed foods, if the revenues were used
to make healthier food less expensive, according to a new survey.
Elementary and middle schools in Illinois could be banned from
selling junk food and soda in a move designed to improve children's
health and mental abilities through good nutrition.
Pressure to ban junk food adverts on TV in the UK reflects growing
concern over the issue of obesity and is forcing food manufacturers
to reassess their marketing strategies, writes Anthony
Fletcher.
Tough European legislation on junk food advertising to children
could become a reality, if the food industry fails to produce an
effective self-regulatory framework to help society deal with
increasing obesity in children.
The alleged link between the advertising of junk food and rising
levels of childhood obesity in the UK has never been completely
proven, but the growing body of evidence to support claims of a
direct correlation appears to have been...
