ADA backs call for healthier food advertising for kids

The ADA has backed a callout by the Food for Health Alliance to the Federal Health Minster, Mr. Mark Butler, to protect children from unhealthy food marketing. 

The letter asks the Government to overhaul regulations in a range of areas to ensure that: 

• Online environments are free unhealthy food marketing 
  
  
• TV, radio and similar media do not feature unhealthy food marketing during times when children are watching and listening. 
  
  
• Public spaces, events and retail environments are free from this advertising 
  
  
• Companies are prevented from using cartoons on product packaging, toys and prizes to market junk food to children. 

The callout emphasises that the health & wellbeing of children must be placed ahead of profits, mirroring the fact that two out of three Australians support government action to protect children from unhealthy food marketing. 

The launch of the Food for Health Alliance campaign, Brands Off Our Kids!, follows a similar initiative in the UK, AdEnough, and is driven by a partnership between the Cancer Council Victoria, VicHealth and the Global Centre for Preventative Health and Nutrition at Deakin University. 

The aim is not only to wean kids off junk food by curbing the advertising of these products but to encourage them to make healthier eating choices.