The report identifies more than 40 different marketing methods used to encourage children to eat foods high in fat, sugar and salt, ranging from product placement in films to text (or SMS) marketing.
The report also higlights the need for tighter controls in this area that address all forms of advertising and promotion to children. It points out that “[f]ailure to tackle the way that unhealthy foods are marketed to children will undermine efforts to improve the quality of their diets and promote a more positive attitiude to food in other areas”.
Which? is therefore calling on the UK government to remind industry that unless unhealthy foods are marketed responsibly, legislation will follow.
Related EPHA articles:
Food marketing to children Vs Halting the obesity epidemic
Finnish recommendations to protect children from food marketing
