Ads for junk food could be banned before 9pm
Junk food adverts could be banned on television and online before 9pm under plans to reduce childhood obesity.
Proposals for the new watershed have been put out for public consultation, the Department for Health and Social Care has confirmed.
A third of British children now leave primary school overweight or obese, and the number of youngsters classed as seriously obese is at a record high.
The proposed advertising ban was welcomed by doctors, politicians and campaigners including TV chef Jamie Oliver.
‘If we don’t find effective ways to improve our kids’ health, uk children will live shorter lives than their parents,’ he said. ‘It’s a fact that kids are hugely influenced by junk food ads, so the media and the food industry has a real opportunity here to do something about it.’
Regulation of adverts for foods high in fat, sugar and salt will be consulted on, with the proposed pre-9pm ban set to affect TV programmes, online streaming sites and social media companies.
Adverts for junk food during children’s TV were banned in 2007, but youngsters spend 64 per cent of their viewing time watching shows not aimed at them, broadcasting regulator Ofcom found.
Public health minister Steve Brine said: ‘The nHS is already preparing to treat more and more children for the serious effects of extreme obesity in the future.’