The National Heart Forum conducted a poll yesterday to see if parents supported the proposal to ban junk food ads on TV. The poll had already received 1,000 votes in support.
"Ofcom has argued throughout the consultation process that a 9pm ban on junk food advertising would be "disproportionate'," said NHF deputy chief executive Jane Landon. "Yet these responses to their own consultation bear witness to the widespread and rising concern about the damage to children's health and well-being from commercial pressures to eat unhealthy foods."The UK communications regulator Ofcom is holding a consultation on the proposal and is due to make an announcement in autumn. A spokesman revealed that if Ofcom passes the regulations, they would come into effect early next year. "We are going through all the consultation responses and we are looking at additional data and evidence to help us form our decision," he said.
However Julian Hunt of the Food and Drink Federation is not convinced that banning advertising will help. "The food and advertising industries proposals put forward to Ofcom this summer share the Government's commitment to focus on young children and advertisements shown during their programme times. "Our package will mean no more cartoon characters like Scooby Doo or celebrities such as pop bands like The Spice Girls being used in ads directly targeted at children," he added
Source-Medindia
SRM
