By: Luke
FT - Government and Ofcom on ‘collision course’ over advertising junk food to children
FT reports:
Banning food advertisements during children’s TV programmes would be “ineffective and disproportionate” in the battle against childhood obesity, according to Britain’s television watchdog.
A health white paper, to be published by the government tomorrow, will hold out the prospect of a ban on junk food ads at certain times of the day if manufacturers and advertisers fail to agree a voluntary code.
But the tough stance puts ministers on a collision course with Ofcom, the television regulator which places the main blame for obesity on factors such as exercise, family eating trends and food labelling.
Asked yesterday for its response to a possible ban before the 9pm watershed, Ofcom pointed to research it published in July, which warned that television advertising has only a “modest” effect on children’s food consumption.
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