Tag Archives: child advertising

Qld moves to restrict junk food ads

by ON
Reply

The Qld government has initiated steps to put in place restrictions on what it terms ‘Junk food’ advertising.

This will make it the first state to establish rules in regard to junk food ads appearing during kids’ television programs.

A report in the Australian has described how Queensland Health has started compiling feedback on the issue and is preparing recommendations for Premier Anna Bligh to consider, which are expected to lead to new laws governing the advertising of junk food during children’s television programs.

Those involved in the children’s food industry argue the term ‘junk food’ is derogatory and that all food is essentially healthy.

The Australian Association of National Advertisers has advised the Australian Communications and Media Authority that there is “overwhelming evidence that food and beverage advertising to children is neither the primary, nor a significant, contributor to childhood obesity”.

There has, however, been a lot of research linking television advertisements with obesity and poor diet – a University of Liverpool study in England claimed food advertisements at least doubled a child’s dietary intake, suggesting food ads make children eat more and the fatter the child, the more effective the ads.

Nestlé changes child advertising tact

by ON
Reply

Weighing into the child obesity debate, Nestlé, the Swiss-based food manufacturer, is to cut the sugar content of some of its most popular childrens’ foods, as a part of its ‘Global Marketing to Children Principles’ initiative that is about to be released.

Among the products to be reformulated is the renowned Milo brand, with the company reporting it will stamp out advertising to children of products that do not meet a set nutritional profile.

All products will be analysed and, if they cannot meet the new set of nutritional guidelines, they will not be promoted to children.

The list of products that Nestlé has established will no longer advertise to children will include: Uncle Toby’s Fruit Roll Ups, Country Cup Noodlers Alphabet Chicken Soup, Nestlé Stars In-cred-i Bites and Wonka Bertie Beetle.

“What we, our food technology will drive us towards is finding ways of reducing those things over time, but still retain taste. Without taste the consumer is just simply not interested in buying anything,” Ian Alwill, Nestlé Australia’s marketing manager, explained on ABC local radio.

“It’s fairly clear that in order to have a positive outcome with our products in the community, that improved nutritional standards need to be achieved.”

There have been calls for a ban on food advertising to children, though the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) released a draft report in August recommending no general restrictions on food and beverage advertising.

The ACMA is, however, proposing to strengthen certain provisions regulating advertising to children. These proposals would further restrict the use of licensed characters, popular personalities and celebrities to promote and endorse products immediately before, during and after ‘C’ and ‘P’ periods. They would also clarify rules for premium offers, such as toys offered with food and beverage purchases.

A report in The Australian also indicates that Nestlé’s global initiative is being led by its Australian division, though the company has been seeking to position itself as a world leader in health and wellness over recent years with the assistance of recent acquisitions such as Jenny Craig.