FOOD MARKETING:
THE SWEET DECEIT
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Children in Europe are exposed – day-in, day out – to the pervasive and deceptive marketing of foods that are incompatible with healthy, sustainable diets.
Last studies indicate that kids are exposed to non-recommended food marketing 27 times a day. This exposure influence what young people eat and drink, harming their well-being, rights, and health.
In Europe, 1 in 3 kids are living with overweight or obesity, and the rates are only increasing. These conditions are directly linked to many non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer.
Unhealthy food marketing is incompatible with sustainable food systems and child rights. The World Health Organization Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity recommends reducing children’s exposure to marketing of unhealthy food. therefore (continue with the policy demands)
European policymakers are called to take actions within their competence to protect children against commercial interest.
The EU has the powers to regulate all forms of cross-border marketing, and by doing so, to ensuring a high level of public health, consumer and children’s rights protection.
We call for the adoption of legislation to improve public health, prevent non-communicable diseases and promote children’s rights, by protecting children marketing of nutritionally poor food.
In particular,
we call on the EU to:
Hours
End the marketing of nutritionally poor food between 6am and 11pm on broadcast media, including TV and radio.
Digital media
End the marketing of nutritionally poor food on digital media, including social media and video sharing platforms.
Cross-border events
End the sponsorship by food brands of events, including sports and cultural events, such as festivals.
Marketing techniques
End the use of marketing techniques appealing to children for the promotion of nutritionally poor food, including on food packages. In particular, influencers and other personalities shall not promote nutritionally poor food.
Such action is not only needed, but also feasible
We aim at protecting children towards unhealthy food marketing, which is proven to have strong influence on what kids eat and drink. By doing so, we will be fostering healthy environments for kids to grow up with less chances to develop non-communicable diseases. Will you support us?
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.