News Analysis: Public Health Report - in the Hands of Advertisers

The government has left the door open for food companies to make their own regulatory proposals.

The government White Paper on health published last week was not as prescriptive in the area of promoting food to children as some had feared. Certainly, groups campaigning for tighter legislative controls were disappointed by the document's content, complaining it did not go far enough in addressing concerns about childhood obesity.

Nevertheless, there is much for food and drink marketers to consider.

The government asserts that there is a strong case for further restricting the advertising to children of food and drink products that are high in fat, salt and sugar, and action needs to be taken not just in relation to TV ads, but all elements of advertising including sponsorship, packaging and point of sale, as well as in areas such as labelling.

The government's aim is for change to be achieved through self-regulation.

Its proposals include …

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Publication information: Article title: News Analysis: Public Health Report - in the Hands of Advertisers. Contributors: Not available. Magazine title: Marketing. Publication date: November 24, 2004. Page number: 17. © 2003 Haymarket Business Publications Ltd. COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group.

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