The perfect regulatory tool for shielding kids from junk food advertising

Self-regulation does not come easy.

According to representatives at the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), candy makers, kids’ cereal manufacturers, and fast food chains aren’t doing enough to promote healthy eating habits.

Which is sort of like saying a defensive tackle isn’t doing enough to help opposing quarterbacks throw TDs.

In a recent review of the children’s TV channel Nickelodeon, CSPI reps say that self-regulation among food producers isn’t working.

A little backstory: A few years ago some food industry titans (McDonald’s, Burger King, Coca-Cola, Kellogg’s, Hershey, etc.) helped establish the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative. One of the “core principles” promised that at least half of all advertising directed to children under the age of 12 would promote healthy dietary choices.

How shocked will you be to find out this isn’t going exactly as planned? I know. Me too. DEEPLY shocked!

CSPI reps say that about 90 percent of Nickelodeon food ads in 2005 promoted junk foods. Four years later, that percentage has dropped a little more than 10 points.

Wait a minute. It WAS 90, now it’s LESS than 80? Geez, CSPI, that sounds like a downward trend to me. Not quite the aimed-for “less than 50 percent.” But if they can keep it going they should hit the mark around 2022. And really, what can you expect? If you make French fries, candy, and kids’ cereals, it’s kind of challenging to come up with ways to promote those products AND promote healthy eating.

Meanwhile, here’s some self-regulation that might work: the remote control. Parents, just press “off,” and you’re done. I know, it’s not easy, but self-regulation seldom is. Just ask Ronald McDonald.

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson

Source:
“Self-Regulation Not Working for Unhealthy Ads, CSPI” Jess Halliday, NutraIngredients-USA, 11/24/09, nutraingredients-usa.com