New Cancer Council research shows that Australian government-designed criteria works well for identifying unhealthy food that shouldn’t be marketed to children. Now it must be used for government regulation to protect children from junk food marketing.
Cancer Council NSW recently complained to Ad Standards about vouchers for fast food being awarded to children for their sports achievements. These complaints about the pizza, burger and ice cream chains were upheld, with Ad Standards agreeing that these unhealthy foods should not have been promoted to kids in this way.
It's that time of the year again. Parents' Voice have just named the annual winners of the Fame and Shame Awards. The awards raise awareness of the marketing techniques that the food industry uses to promote unhealthy foods and drinks to children. And they also recognise the campaigns that do a good job by promoting healthy food and activity to children.
Our 2018 audit of 90 buses on designated school bus routes, in Sydney NSW, found 72% of food and drink advertisements on school buses were promoting unhealthy products and only one food advertisement featured fresh fruit.
Most frequent junk food advertisements were for fast food meals and sugary drinks.
Junk food advertising is like wallpaper in our lives and our children’s lives too. Dr Jenny Norman and Associate Professor Bridget Kelly tell us about their studies to show what effect junk food advertising has on our children.
Young children are seeing unhealthy food and drink brands on YouTube through kid influencers. These influencers, as young as 3 years old, generate millions of likes while interacting with unhealthy branded items, particularly fast food and confectionery.
Let's stop junk food advertisers targeting our kids. We'll email you campaign updates and opportunities to get involved.
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