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UK Junk food television adverts to be banned
MINISTERS are to announce tough curbs on television adverts for "junk food" up to the 9pm watershed in an attempt to combat an epidemic of obesity among children. John Reid, the health secretary, will this week warn the food industry that he will bring in legislation banning junk food adverts unless firms agree to voluntary restrictions by 2007. The crackdown for products high in fat, salt or sugar is far wider than anticipated by the industry, which believed restrictions would target only afternoon children's television. However, Reid will argue that research by Ofcom, the broadcasting regulator, shows more than 70% of viewing by children aged four to 15 is between 6pm and 9pm. The crackdown follows research showing 18% of children are overweight and a further 6% obese. Children are also for the first time being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, a disease previously only associated with those over 40. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has drawn up guidelines defining what it considers unhealthy levels of fat, sugar and salt in products. For fat, it is any product with 20g per 100g; for sugar 10g; and for salt 0.5g Posted by: Mark Espinola 2004-11-14 |
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