Junk food advert ban comes into effect with soft drinks, porridge and chocolate included

The government estimates the ad ban will prevent around 20,000 cases of childhood obesity. Figures suggest one in 10 reception-aged children is now obese.

Advertising food and drinks that are high in saturated fat, salt and sugar has been restricted. Pic: iStock

A new online and TV ban on the advertising of unhealthy food comes into full effect today after voluntary restrictions were introduced in October.

The ban prevents ads for "less healthy" food and drinks that are high in saturated fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) appearing on television between 5.30am and 9pm, and online at any time.

The ban applies to products that fall within 13 categories considered to play the most significant role in childhood obesity.

These include soft drinks, chocolates and sweets, pizzas, cakes and ice creams, but also breakfast cereals and porridges, sandwiches, sweetened bread products and yoghurts.

Products that belong to these categories will need to be assessed on whether they are considered "less healthy" using a scoring tool that considers their nutrient levels and whether they are high in saturated fat, salt and sugar.

Ice cream falls into one of 13 categories considered to play the most significant role in childhood obesity. Pic: iStock

Only products that belong to one of the 13 categories and score outside the acceptable range are included in the advertising restrictions, which will be policed by the Advertising Standards Authority.

Products that are assessed as healthier in both can still be advertised, which the government hopes will lead to changes in recipes by the food industry.

Adverts for plain oats and most porridge, muesli and granola will not be affected, but some less healthy versions with added sugar, chocolate or syrup could face restrictions.

Rules previously stated that products high in saturated fat, salt and sugar should not be advertised through any media when more than 25% of the audience is under 16 years old.

The government estimates the ad ban will prevent around 20,000 cases of childhood obesity.

Latest figures suggest one in 10 reception-aged children is now obese, while one in five children has tooth decay by the age of five.

It is estimated that obesity costs the NHS more than £11bn every year.

The new plans were first announced by the Conservatives in 2021 but were pushed back twice.

It comes after Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced that milkshakes and lattes will be hit with a sugar tax for the first time in a bid to tackle obesity.

ARTICLE SOURCE: https://news.sky.com/story/junk-food-advert-ban-comes-into-effect-with-soft-drinks-cereal-and-chocolate-to-be-included-13490582

While I’m not against this I don’t believe it will have any effect nor will it “prevent around 20,000 cases of childhood obesity”.

Removing cigarette commercials didn’t stop smoking.

It’s up to parents to parent their child. It’s not the government’s responsibility.

"Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22.

Parents are responsible for teaching their children in all things for living a fruitful life. That includes eating properly. But even with that being said they will do what they want to do once they become adults. All you can do is lay the foundation.

My children were not raised drinking cokes. We never had them in the house except for very rare occasions such as a big bbq. But once my son started working and earning I’m his own money he became addicted to them things. He eventually came back to his foundation though.

Same boat. My mother-in-law lived next door and was our primary source of daycare for the first five years. All they drank was water and luckily my son fell right in line. At a family function once he was offered a Coke/Pepsi and he looked at his aunt like she was crazy. He tasted one and luckily, (again) he didn't like it.

Me on the other hand I drank Mountain Dew and sweet tea like it was going out of style. I set a horrible example.

That early practice shaped him into adulthood.

I agree, I do not think an advertisement ban will do much but at least the pendulum is shifting a bit. I would think their profit margins should jump as sales will probably stay the same but the costs of advertising should go down. At least it looks that way from the outside looking in. LOL

Scott

I would think the advertising ban would have to extend beyond TV. I don't know about you, but we don't watch regular TV with commercials anymore. We watch streaming networks and pay for the tiers that means we benefit from no ads.

Junk food companies will just target advertising where the kids actually are. Social media like Snapchat, web pages, and more.

Agreed.

From there it will the 'fascination of the forbidden' to a point. If they don't want me to see it then it must really be good.

If we are discussing the health of this generation as well as future generations then it is a no-brainer. Everyone would be on board. Then factor in the almighty dollar and the pendulum always swings back to the 'green'.

Scott