Marketing unhealthy food to children in Asia Pacific - Consumers ...

Call for actionIn March 2008, CI and the International Obesity Taskforce(IOTF) launched Recommendations for an InternationalCode on Marketing of Foods and Non-AlcoholicBeverages to Children 2 .There is a wide disparity between countries in theirapproach to the marketing of food to children. Somehave limited restrictions on advertising unhealthy food tochildren, whilst others have no statutory protection onany form of advertising at all. The food and drinkindustries’ own codes also vary in terms of the countriescovered, the definition of a child and the types ofmarketing included.CI is campaigning for a WHO Code, which will addressthis problem by agreeing on international standards to beimplemented by national governments and foodcompanies.The CI/IOTF Code targets the marketing of energy dense,nutrient poor foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt tochildren up to 16 years old. Its demands include:• A ban on radio or TV adverts promoting unhealthyfood between 06.00 and 21.00.• No marketing of unhealthy food to children using newmedia (such as websites, social networking sites andtext messaging).• No promotion of unhealthy food in schools.• No inclusion of free gifts, toys or collectible items,which appeal to children to promote unhealthy foods.• No use of celebrities, cartoon characters, competitionsor free gifts to market unhealthy food.Consumers International and the InternationalObesity Task Force released their recommendationsfor an international code in March 2008You can download a copy of the Code and sign up insupport at www.junkfoodgeneration.org.Call for action9