The Government lacks the stomach for promoting ‘health’ as it delays the junk food advertising ban till 2026
Yet another punch to the gut as the Government announces a delay to rules that would ban unhealthy food advertising before 9pm, showing the full force of corporate lobbying.
In the same week that news broke of government withdrawing recommendations to food manufacturers and retailers to promote ‘minimally processed’ and ‘nutritious foods’, BANT is further dismayed to see attempts to tackle childhood obesity derailed by the industry.
The restrictions due to come into effect in October 2024, were to cover adverts promoting high fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) products. It is now reported that ministers will announce that ‘pure brand advertising’ should be excluded from the scope of the restrictions. This loophole will mean that food brands can continue to promote products under the guise of ‘corporate communications’ or being so-called ‘healthier‘ products before 9pm once the rules come into force, paving the way for a work-around and indirect advertising of highly profitable HFSS products.
BANT CEO, Satu Jackson, has declared the decision by the Committees of Advertising Practice (CAP) and the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), who write and enforce advertising codes, “as irresponsible”. She continued that “health misinformation and confusion about nutrition is at an all-time high. Measures to protect the public, especially children, from the continual bombardment of ultra-processed food and drink advertising is an intrinsic part of tackling the obesogenic environment we live in”.
The BANT manifesto calls for measures to act against the drivers of obesity and restrict ultra-processed foods and drinks (UPFDs) which often contain HFSS products, in a collective effort to create a food environment for good health. BANT’s agenda to ‘reclaim the UK’s health’, as laid out in our 2024 manifesto, outlined the need to:
- Commit to legislation to limit advertising and in-store BOGOF and other promotions on UPFDs
The benefits of eating a healthy whole food diet are far reaching and can rapidly improve metabolic markers for most diet-related diseases affecting the UK population. The problem is that healthy foods and ingredients are not fairly promoted and are not as affordable or accessible as their ultra-processed counterparts.
BANT proposes that this delay to junk food advertising is yet another sign that the government is too easily swayed by industry pressure, and not yet committed to delivering meaningful policy.
