Ads 'make healthy diet difficult'
The Press Association (UK)
April 17, 2008
More than 80% of
people believe junk food advertising is making it
difficult to feed children a healthy diet, according to
research.
The survey for consumer watchdog Which? found 84% of
consumers want the Government to do more to control the
marketing of unhealthy food to children.
The survey also revealed 83% think irresponsible
advertising is making it harder to encourage children to
eat healthy food.
Which? said rules governing junk food advertising on the
internet and on packaging were weak or non-existent,
while current regulations for television advertising did
not apply to the programmes most watched by children.
A Bill to introduce robust restrictions on unhealthy
food advertising to children is due for its second
reading in Parliament next week.
It aims to introduce a 9pm watershed for junk food
advertising and protect children from other forms of
marketing.
Which? said initiatives to improve the standard of
school meals and provide clear nutrition labelling would
be undermined without stricter advertising controls.
Clare Corbett, a food campaigner at Which?, said: "New
types of promotions, like online and text messaging,
have given food companies a whole new playground to
promote unhealthy products to children.
"It's no wonder pester power is a continuing problem and
our research shows the real strength of public feeling.
"With childhood obesity and diet-related health problems
on the increase, the Government must take serious action
and soon. It is a complex problem with no easy solution,
but with approaches from every angle, including an end
to irresponsible marketing, there's more chance of
winning the battle against childhood obesity."