Children's advertising should be severely restricted
“The advertising barriers for unhealthy foods that were launched yesterday are a Milestone in the fight against malnutrition and obesity. Food Minister Cem Özdemir is finally putting an end to the unsuccessful principle of voluntariness, which the federal government has been practicing for years. The minister makes the food industry responsible Children with aggressive marketing tricks Children Burgers, candies and sodas turns on. It is correct that the WHO nutrient profile serves as a basis and that influencers are also addressed who are responsible for Children Idols and 'best friends' at the same time. It is also important that the law is not just classic children's shows includes: For among the at Children One in three of the most popular programs is a family format, such as an entertainment show or a football game.
Now it is important that the law within the traffic light coalition - especially by the coalition partner FDP - is not watered down and the child protection enforced against the interests of advertising and the junk food industry.”
background objects
According to a study by the University of Hamburg, every child between the ages of three and 13 sees an average of 15 commercials for unhealthy food a day. 92 percent of all advertising that Children perceive, marketed fast food, snacks or sweets. The confectionery industry alone spent over one billion euros on advertising in 2021 - more than in any other year before.
Children Eat about twice as much sweets but half the fruits and vegetables as recommended. Around 15 percent of children and adolescents are currently overweight and six percent are even severely overweight (adiposity). They are at risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, joint problems, high blood pressure and heart disease later in life. According to OECD data, every seventh death in Germany is due to an unhealthy diet.
Medical associations, health insurance companies and numerous other civil society organizations - including foodwatch - have been calling for years to restrict advertising of foods with too much fat, sugar and salt to children. In order to adequately protect children, Federal Food Minister Cem Özdemir has now presented plans for binding rules on food advertising aimed at children.
Louise Molling, foodwatch.de
