A study of food labelling revealed that children who ate a regular diet of foods specifically marketed with them in mind could face future health problems.
Source: Food Labels: The Hidden Truth - What are our children really eating?, Consumers' Association (020 7770 7000)
Links: Report (pdf) | Consumers' Association press release
Date: 2003-Nov
Barnardo's (a children's charity) was criticised for an advertising campaign on child poverty which featured a series of images including one showing a new-born baby with a cockroach crawling out of its mouth. Barnardo's said the public was 'in denial' about the child poverty issue. It also published a report describing the effects of child poverty on a range of outcomes.
Source: The Guardian, 13 November 2003 | Poverty Wrecks Futures, Barnardo s (01268 520224)
Links: Guardian report | Barnardo's press release | Report (pdf)
Date: 2003-Nov
A private member's Bill was introduced to prevent food and drink advertising during pre-school children s television programmes and related scheduling.
Source: Debra Shipley MP, Children's Television (Advertising) (No2) Bill, TSO (0870 600 5522) | House of Commons Hansard, Debate 4 November 2003, columns 669-671, TSO
Links: Hansard | Guardian report
Date: 2003-Nov
An expert seminar concluded that a review had provided sufficient evidence to indicate a causal link between promotional activity and children's food knowledge, preferences and behaviours.
Source: Outcome of Academic Seminar to Review Recent Research on Food Promotion and Children, Food Standards Agency (020 7276 8000)
Links: Report | FSA press release
Date: 2003-Nov
The food standards watchdog published options for action on the promotion of foods affecting children's diets and health, including the possibility of bans on TV advertising aimed at children, and health warnings on foods high in salt, sugar and fat.
Source: Food Promotion and Children: Options, Food Standards Agency (020 7276 8000)
Links: Report | FSA press release | Guardian report
Date: 2003-Nov
The new communications regulator began consultation on the future regulation of broadcast advertising. It sought views on its proposal to delegate the regulation of advertising on television and radio to a new industry co-regulatory body. The new body would have responsibility for drawing up, reviewing and enforcing codes, approved by the regulator, setting standards for the presentation and content of broadcast advertisements.
Source: The Future Regulation of Broadcast Advertising, Office of Communications (020 7981 3000)
Links: Consultation document | Ofcom press release
Date: 2003-Oct
A report examined the way foods were promoted to children, and the possible link between promotional activity and child eating patterns. It concluded that advertising to children did have an effect on their preferences, purchase behaviour and consumption, and these effects were apparent not just for different brands but also for different types of food.
Source: Gerard Hastings et al., Does Food Promotion Influence Children?: Systematic review of the evidence, Food Standards Agency (020 7276 8000)
Links: Report (pdf) | Appendices (pdf) | FSA press release | Food Commission press release |
Date: 2003-Sep