In the UK, advertising of fast food, chips, and sweets has been banned
These measures were announced by the government, which seeks to "help parents raise the healthiest generation of children in history." The announcement was published on the official government website on January 5.
Under the established rules, advertising of "less healthy food" on television will only be allowed after 9:00 PM, while such advertising is completely banned online.
Manufacturers selling "junk food" can continue to advertise their brands during "children's time" on television and online, as long as the actual products are not depicted in the advertisements. Many local companies have begun to adapt to the new requirements in advance, the press reports.
According to the government, 22.1% of children start primary school with excess weight or obesity, and by the time they finish their education, this figure rises to 35.8%. Additionally, tooth decay is the leading cause of doctor visits for children aged 5-9 years.
Research shows that advertising significantly influences children's food choices, shaping their preferences from an early age and increasing the risk of obesity and related diseases. Authorities hope that the introduction of new measures will reduce children's calorie intake by 7.2 billion per year and decrease the number of obese children by 20,000.
In the long term, the new rules are expected to lead to savings of around £2 billion due to improved public health.
Photo on the homepage is illustrative: picture alliance / Foodcollection.
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