Junk food ads campaign

The Coalition on Food Advertising to Children (CFAC) which includes; the Australian Medical Association, Choice and the Cancer Council, is a coalition of parents, health and community groups, has called for the regulations for junk food advertisements to be tightened.

This call has come after CFAC released figures showing that if children watch two hours of TV a day, they are likely to see 18 hours of advertisements for unhealthy food (eg; burgers, soft drinks and chips) per year - this equates to approximately 2200 junk food advertisements a year.

CFAC have started an on line campaign requesting that there be a government ban on the advertising of unhealthy foods during the times when children are likely to watching TV. The campaign can be found at www.burgercorp.com.au and this allows viewers to send their thoughts on this issue to the Federal Health Minister.

“The health of Australia’s children, now and into the future, is of paramount importance. Food advertising influences what food children want, ask for, and eat,” AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, added. “Combating obesity is a shared responsibility. The broadcast industry and broadcast regulatory authorities have a significant role to play in these efforts.”

On 01 January 2009, the food and grocery sector of the food industry, introduced the Responsible Children’s Marketing Initiative. All companies which voluntarily participate in the program, pledge to commit publicly to advertise to children under 12 only when it will further promote healthy dietary choices and lifestyles.

“Each participant will develop and make publicly available, an individual company action plan that outlines how they will meet the initiatives core principles,” Australian Food and Grocery Council CEO Kate Carnell advised. “Participants will not advertise food and beverage products to children under 12 in any media unless those products represent healthy dietary choices, consistent with established scientific or Australian government standards.” “The Responsible Children’s Marketing Initiatives is supported by major food and beverage manufacturers, the Australian Association of National Advertisers and other industry groups. These companies represent the majority of food and beverage manufacturing in Australia.”

The Federal Government’s Preventative Health Taskforce will now be aware of this new campaign, as well as the approach being taken by many food businesses in this issue. The Taskforce is due to report in June and as a result there could be policy recommendations that may have a significant impact on all of the food industry.