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dpa
London
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Britian has a “national struggle with obesity” as the government announced heavier online restrictions and a 9 pm television watershed for junk food ads.
Restrictions will stop short of the total ban that was proposed last year, part of Johnson’s efforts to tackle obesity, as brand-only advertising online and on TV will be allowed to continue.
Asked about the new measures on a visit to New Normandy Barracks in Aldershot, he said: “I think we’re taking the right approach, I think it’s important that we send out a message that, I’m afraid, we do have a national struggle with obesity and we need to deal with it.
“The costs on the NHS are vast, we’ve just seen during the Covid pandemic sadly how obesity can be one of the comorbidities in serious illness, let’s get a grip on it and I think that sending out a signal ... through advertising is entirely right.”
Told there had been criticisms that plans had been watered down, the prime minister said: “A lot of people are saying it goes too far.” Fast food and confectionery giants will be banned from advertising products high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) online but there will be exemptions for small businesses with 249 employees or fewer.
Companies can continue to promote their products on their own websites and social media platforms under the measures.
Firms will also be able to advertise on television before the watershed if they do not show banned foods, a ruling that is expected to be opposed by health campaigners.
Online audio will be exempted, meaning that fast food and confectionery will be advertised on radio stations broadcasting over the internet, as well as on podcasts.
The new regulations also allow exemptions for the healthiest foods within each category, such as honey, olive oil, avocados and marmite.
Public Health Minister Jo Churchill said: “We are committed to improving the health of our children and tackling obesity. The content youngsters see can have an impact on the choices they make and habits they form. With children spending more time online it is vital we act to protect them from unhealthy advertising.
“These measures form another key part of our strategy to get the nation fitter and healthier by giving them the chance to make more informed decisions when it comes to food.
“We need to take urgent action to level up health inequalities. This action on advertising will help to wipe billions off the national calorie count and give our children a fair chance of a healthy lifestyle.” Research has found that one in three children leaving primary school are overweight or obese, as are almost two thirds of adults in England.
The consultation cited research finding that children were being exposed to increasing online junk food advertising.
London
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Britian has a “national struggle with obesity” as the government announced heavier online restrictions and a 9 pm television watershed for junk food ads.
Restrictions will stop short of the total ban that was proposed last year, part of Johnson’s efforts to tackle obesity, as brand-only advertising online and on TV will be allowed to continue.
Asked about the new measures on a visit to New Normandy Barracks in Aldershot, he said: “I think we’re taking the right approach, I think it’s important that we send out a message that, I’m afraid, we do have a national struggle with obesity and we need to deal with it.
“The costs on the NHS are vast, we’ve just seen during the Covid pandemic sadly how obesity can be one of the comorbidities in serious illness, let’s get a grip on it and I think that sending out a signal ... through advertising is entirely right.”
Told there had been criticisms that plans had been watered down, the prime minister said: “A lot of people are saying it goes too far.” Fast food and confectionery giants will be banned from advertising products high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) online but there will be exemptions for small businesses with 249 employees or fewer.
Companies can continue to promote their products on their own websites and social media platforms under the measures.
Firms will also be able to advertise on television before the watershed if they do not show banned foods, a ruling that is expected to be opposed by health campaigners.
Online audio will be exempted, meaning that fast food and confectionery will be advertised on radio stations broadcasting over the internet, as well as on podcasts.
The new regulations also allow exemptions for the healthiest foods within each category, such as honey, olive oil, avocados and marmite.
Public Health Minister Jo Churchill said: “We are committed to improving the health of our children and tackling obesity. The content youngsters see can have an impact on the choices they make and habits they form. With children spending more time online it is vital we act to protect them from unhealthy advertising.
“These measures form another key part of our strategy to get the nation fitter and healthier by giving them the chance to make more informed decisions when it comes to food.
“We need to take urgent action to level up health inequalities. This action on advertising will help to wipe billions off the national calorie count and give our children a fair chance of a healthy lifestyle.” Research has found that one in three children leaving primary school are overweight or obese, as are almost two thirds of adults in England.
The consultation cited research finding that children were being exposed to increasing online junk food advertising.
