Ban junk food advertising - health groups call

The Obesity Policy Coalition has developed a national blueprint to regulate junk food advertising. The proposal is endorsed many health groups, including the Australian Medical Association, the Australian Dental Association, Cancer Council Australia, Diabetes Australia and the National Heart Foundation.

Under the plan, junk food advertising would be banned on free-to-air TV from 6am to 9am and 4pm to 9pm on weekdays. On weekend mornings, when children tend to watch more television, it would be banned from 6am to noon. Similar time restrictions would apply to pay TV channels except for those primarily directed at children, such as cartoon channels , in which case junk food advertising would be banned at all times.

The plan also suggests the restriction of unhealthy food advertising on websites aimed at children and through email, SMS, magazines, G and PG-rated movies for children, sponsorship of children’s sports in and outside of schools and unhealthy fund-raising drives used for schools and children’s sports. The blueprint also suggests stopping advertisers from using toys and competitions as promotions for fast-food meals, such as McDonald’s Happy Meal toys.

The Obesity Policy Coalition report has been sent to Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon.