Call to beef up new junk food ad code
Email Print Normal font Large font Julian Lee Marketing Reporter
July 17, 2006
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AdvertisementA NEW code regulating the marketing of junk food will not stop children becoming obese, the Australian Consumers' Association says. It has repeated its call for the Federal Government to step in and legislate.
The code, which covers television, print, radio, online and mobile phone marketing of food to adults and children, is due to come into effect in a few weeks.
In a written submission to health ministers, the Consumers' Association said only government intervention could combat childhood obesity.
The association called for measures including a ban on junk food advertising before 9pm, the banning of popular characters or entertainers in ads and a ban on toys and giveaways.
"We don't believe that a voluntary code is going to provide adequate protection for children from advertising of unhealthy foods that may influence their food preferences and the food they eat, which in turn will impact on diet and nutrition and have the potential to contribute to overweight [sic] and obesity," the association's food policy officer, Clare Hughes, said.
Health ministers are due to meet in Brisbane on July 27 to discuss the matter.
Under the draft code, advertisers would not be allowed to encourage pester power, such as by showing images of children putting products in supermarket trolleys. One clause says advertising should not encourage excessive eating or "undermine the importance of healthy lifestyles".
Collin Segelov, executive director of the Australian Association of National Advertisers, which has drawn up the code in conjunction with the Australian Food and Grocery Council, said his organisation would accommodate as many of the Consumers' Association's suggestions as possible but would not specify which ones.
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