Media Release, Food For Health Alliance, by Lauren Zammit: Food for Health Alliance is urging the Australian Government to take swift action to protect children from unhealthy food and drink advertising. This comes after the UK announced last week that by October 2025 it will implement a ban on junk food marketing on television before 9pm and paid junk food advertising online.
The call is backed by a national 2023 survey of more than 2,000 Australian adults showing nearly 7 in 10 (68%) are in favour of the Government taking action to protect children from unhealthy
food and sugary drink marketing.
Food for Health Alliance’s Executive Manager, Jane Martin, said the UK’s bold commitment is a win for public health and hopes it will help pave the way for similar protections in Australia.
“Just like in the UK, Australian children deserve to be able to watch their favourite TV shows and go online to study, play games or socialise without being targeted by the processed food industry’s sophisticated marketing tactics.”
“Since 2006, Food for Health Alliance and other public health leaders have been advocating for policies to prevent the processed food industry from bombarding kids with their ads through television and online. Yet almost two decades later, we’re still grappling with the issue.
“The National Obesity Strategy and Inquiry into Diabetes both offer clear roadmaps and recommendations for reducing children’s exposure to junk food marketing. The time for Australia to follow the UK’s lead is now.”
Currently, Australian kids aged 5 to 8 see at least 827 unhealthy food ads on TV every year, while Australian teens see up to 100 online junk food promotions each week.
Ms Martin explained the Australian Government has taken a fantastic step in commissioning a feasibility study looking at policy options to limit unhealthy food marketing to children, with public consultation undertaken earlier this year.
“Once the study is finalised, we urge the Australian Government to respond quickly, and in a way that puts children’s health first, above the profits of the processed food industry.”
Sign up to Food for Health Alliance’s Brands off Our Kids today to help call for action to protect our kids: www.foodforhealthalliance.org.au/brandsoff
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