Big Snack is putting pressure on lawmakers in the U.K.
What happened: The U.K. government is delaying a ban on junk food ads targeting children. It will be implemented next year instead of this October, after industry groups representing major snack food makers insisted on more clarity about what products can’t be advertised.
- In its current form, the law bans “less healthy” foods, including snacks and bevvies with added sugar or high sodium, from being advertised on TV or online before 9 p.m.
Why it matters: Health advocates decried the U.K. government, accusing it of bowing to pressure at the expense of kids’ health. They might have a point, as lobbyists have a track record of putting the screws on other governments trying to impose similar bans including…
- …in Canada, where the feds have promised to impose restrictions on unhealthy food advertising to youth since the Liberals took power in 2015, but nothing has materialized.
Zoom out: In 2019, a bill that looked sure to become law died in the Senate due to lobbying efforts. Meanwhile, Québec, ever the outlier, has had provincial legislation banning fast food ads aimed at kids under 13 since 1980. Studies have found the law has broadly worked.
Bottom line: Childhood obesity is a rising problem globally, and reducing kids’ exposure to unhealthy products is one tool for combating it. Some research suggests that as many as 25% of four- to 11-year-olds and 33% of 12- to 17-year-olds in Canada may be currently overweight or obese.—QH