Food for Health Alliance has applauded Independent MP Dr Sophie Scamps, who is set to re-introduce a Private Members Bill into Parliament today to remove unhealthy food marketing on TV and radio, including subscription (streaming) services, between 6am and 9.30pm and online at all times.
Jane Martin, Executive Manager of Food for Health Alliance, said Australian children should be able to play, learn and live in a world that supports and promotes their wellbeing, without being bombarded with marketing for unhealthy food. She highlighted that more government action to support healthy nutritious diets for children was critical, with one in four Australian children above a healthy weight, posing significant risks to their health now and into the future.
“The processed food industry spends millions of dollars every year targeting kids with unhealthy food and drink marketing. These powerful ads are relentless, shaping our kids’ diet and tastes as they grow, and setting unhealthy patterns that can carry into adulthood,” said Ms Martin.
“Currently there is no federal regulation specifically designed to protect children from junk food marketing. We applaud Dr Scamps for drawing national attention back to the issue of unscrupulous marketing to kids by the processed food industry More must be done to ensure Australian children can grow up in an environment that supports their health."
Dr Sophie Scamps first introduced her Broadcasting Services Amendment (Healthy Kids Advertising) Bill 2023 into Parliament over one year ago. Since then, the Australian Government has undertaken public consultation as part of a feasibility study looking at policy options to limit unhealthy food marketing to children, with a final report set to be presented later this year, Ms Martin explained.
“We eagerly await the outcome of this study’s findings. Once available, we urge the Australian Government to prioritise a swift response that puts children’s health first, above the profits of the processed food industry.”
The re-introduction of the Healthy Kids Advertising Bill 2023 comes shortly after Food for Health Alliance launched an open letter to Australia’s Federal Minister for Health, signed by more than 40 organisations, as part of its Brands Off Our Kids! campaign.
- The open letter called for four actions to protect Australian children's health:
- Making online environments free from unhealthy food marketing;
- Ensuring TV, radio and similar media are free from unhealthy food marketing at all times of the day and
- night when children are watching and listening;
- Making public spaces, public events and retail environments free from unhealthy food marketing; and
- Preventing companies marketing unhealthy food directly to children with tactics like cartoons on product packaging, toys and prizes.
Visit www.foodforhealthalliance.org.au/brandsoff to learn more.
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