Sunday, November 14, 2004
Junk Food Ads Banned
Junk Food Adverts 'Banished During Children's Tv'
By James Lyons, PA Political Correspondent
Junk food adverts will be banished beyond the 9pm watershed an attempt to fight Britain’s obesity crisis, it emerged tonight.
A ban during children’s TV had been widely expected when the Government produces its health White Paper next week.
But Health Secretary Dr John Reid is set to go further after Ofcom figures showed 70% of viewing by children aged four to 15 takes place between 6pm and 9pm.
Dr Reid will threaten food manufacturers and advertisers with legislation if they fail to agree a voluntary code.
A new food labelling system, possibly using “traffic light” warnings, will also be proposed.
Products high in fat, salt or sugar are the subject of the TV crackdown.
That would affect far more than the burgers, chocolate, crisps and sugary drinks commonly seen as the culprits.
Salty soup, breakfast cereal and even fish fingers could be caught up in the ban.
“We believe there’s a strong evidence-based cased for action to restrict the advertising and promotion to children of food and drink that are high in fat, salt and sugar,” a government source told one paper.
“To have maximum effect, broadcasting limits need to be complemented by restrictions on advertising at the point of sale, on labels and packaging.”