11 Nov 2020 Food Active responds to Online Junk Food Advertising Consultation
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has launched a new consultation on the total restriction of online advertising of food and drink products that are high in fat, sugar and/or salt (HFSS). The consultation was one of the commitments outlined in the Government’s Obesity Strategy launched in July this year.
Alex Holt, Programme Lead at Food Active said:
“We are delighted to learn more about the Government’s plans to remove all advertising of HFSS products online – something that has been a key policy call by Food Active for many years.
Advertising online, such as through social media, email marketing, website banners and more, has become an increasingly sophisticated, popular and effective platform for the food industry. With children now spending more time online than watching TV, it is absolutely right that the Government should look to close the current loopholes in restrictions to prevent children being bombarded with cues to consume less healthy food and drink.
A total restriction on all HFSS adverts on digital media platforms is the simplest way to guarantee this, and will help demonstrate the Government’s clear commitment to protecting children’s health and working towards their target of halving childhood obesity by 2030.”
To find out more about the consultation, click here.
To read our submission to the consultation, click here.
If you want to see an end to the advertising of unhealthy food and drink online, please consider responding to the consultation to share your views – we need as much support as we can. You do not need to complete every question and the deadline for submissions is 22nd December 11:59pm. To submit a response, click here.
We have prepared a quick guide to responding to the consultation, for any councils or organisations who are strapped for time but want to show their support. Click here to download the briefing.
