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WHO echoes NGO calls for children's protection from “HFSS” food marketing
19/09/2014
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In an editorial piece published today on its website, the World Health Organization (WHO) reiterates its goal to restrict the impact of “potentially harmful food and drink marketing on children”. It outlines the actions taken toward this goal, including its work with EU Member-States to roll out the use of nutrient profile models for marketing restrictions, as part of the WHO Europe's Food and Nutrition Action Plan 2015-2020.
The press release, entitled: “Protecting children from the harmful effects of food and drink marketing” states that children are targeted by the advertising of “foods high in fats, sugar and salt” on TV, the Internet and mobile phones. Such adverts are being integrated with sponsorship agreements and product placement to maximize their impact, the WHO says.
The press release enumerates examples of countries which have taken actions to restrict the advertising of foods high in fats, sugar and salt, either through statutory actions in the UK, or through self-regulatory agreements with the industry in Norway and Spain.
Yet, the WHO states: “some independent analyses suggest that these falling figures mask loopholes in current regulations. Through family entertainment shows – considered 'adult' programming as they fall outside current regulations – children are still exposed to unhealthy food and drink advertisements.”
The WHO quotes Amanda Long, Director-General of Consumers International, saying: “The majority of adverts seen by children around the globe are for heavily processed foods high in fat, sugar, salt and calories.” Malcolm Clark, the coordinator of the Children's Food Campaign, is also quoted stating: “Parents' efforts to help their children eat healthily are being undermined by sophisticated promotion of junk food to children: on TV, online, at the cinema, in magazines, in supermarkets, on food packaging, and for some even at school.”
The press release concludes by highlighting the WHO's efforts to ensure that governments play a leading role in reducing children's overall exposure to food marketing, a key policy action of the WHO Global Action Plan 2013–2020 for the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs), which was endorsed by the World Health Assembly in May 2013.
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The press release, entitled: “Protecting children from the harmful effects of food and drink marketing” states that children are targeted by the advertising of “foods high in fats, sugar and salt” on TV, the Internet and mobile phones. Such adverts are being integrated with sponsorship agreements and product placement to maximize their impact, the WHO says.
The press release enumerates examples of countries which have taken actions to restrict the advertising of foods high in fats, sugar and salt, either through statutory actions in the UK, or through self-regulatory agreements with the industry in Norway and Spain.
Yet, the WHO states: “some independent analyses suggest that these falling figures mask loopholes in current regulations. Through family entertainment shows – considered 'adult' programming as they fall outside current regulations – children are still exposed to unhealthy food and drink advertisements.”
The WHO quotes Amanda Long, Director-General of Consumers International, saying: “The majority of adverts seen by children around the globe are for heavily processed foods high in fat, sugar, salt and calories.” Malcolm Clark, the coordinator of the Children's Food Campaign, is also quoted stating: “Parents' efforts to help their children eat healthily are being undermined by sophisticated promotion of junk food to children: on TV, online, at the cinema, in magazines, in supermarkets, on food packaging, and for some even at school.”
The press release concludes by highlighting the WHO's efforts to ensure that governments play a leading role in reducing children's overall exposure to food marketing, a key policy action of the WHO Global Action Plan 2013–2020 for the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs), which was endorsed by the World Health Assembly in May 2013.
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