For a number of years, Consumers International has campaigned
for restrictions on the marketing to children of foods high in
sugar, fat and / or salt. Together with other measures, this would
be a major step towards the promotion of healthier diets and
tackling the rise in obesity and diseases such as type II diabetes,
heart disease and some cancers.
Through traditional media, and increasingly new media, food
companies are using a broad range of marketing practices to
directly target children. The vast majority of these foods are
snacks, soft drinks, junk food, confectionary and sugared breakfast
cereals - products that tend to be energy dense, nutrient-poor
foods high in fat, sugar and/or salt.
CI has published several reports on food marketing to children.
Our recent publications include:
Manual for monitoring food marketing to children
The manual for monitoring food marketing to children is a
practical, step-by-step guide designed to support governments and
civil society in monitoring the extent and nature of food marketing
to children.
Junk Food Generation Toolkit
The Junk Food Generation Toolkit provides information, ideas and
resources to campaign at a national level on food marketing to
children. It provides the tools you need to run an effective
campaign, targeting government as well as engaging the public and
the media.