Facebook ‘should protect children from junk food ads’

FACEBOOK should restrict junk food advertisements in “assertive” action to tackle the “scourge” of childhood obesity, the head of the NHS has said.

Simon Stevens called for sweeping action to limit marketing and advertising of unhealthy foods, as ministers consider new measures to tackle the problem, and urged the Government to be bold, saying the recent tax on sugary drinks was not enough on its own.

He called for “a whole range” of actions to nudge the nation towards healthier choices.

“The big debate is how assertive we are going to be on tackling the scourge of childhood obesity,” he said.

A new government strategy may see a ban on junk food adverts on television before 9pm and Mr Stevens said restrictions should also be considered for social media. On Tuesday, Facebook was accused of failing to protect children from such advertisements.