Kellogg’s and Britvic attack plan to ban junk food ads online

Some of the UK’s biggest food companies have attacked a plan that could see all online junk food advertising banned to tackle childhood obesity.

In a letter to the prime minister, bosses of firms including Britvic, Kellogg’s and Mars said they supported government efforts to tackle obesity.

But they said the plans were “disproportionate” and lacked evidence.

The government has said it is determined to help children and families make “healthier choices”.

It originally planned to ban online adverts and TV commercials for unhealthy foods that appeared before 9pm, but strengthened this in November.

The prime minister is said to have changed course after being hospitalised with Covid-19, something he links to being overweight.

The proposal, which is still under consultation, could usher in some of the toughest digital marketing restrictions in the world by the end of 2022.

Firms would not be able to promote foods high in fat, salt or sugar in Facebook ads, paid search results on Google, text promotions and posts on platforms such as Twitter and Instagram.

‘Family favourites’

But the letter, which has been signed by 800 food and drink manufacturers and 3,000 UK brands, says food companies have not been given enough time to submit detailed objections.

“The UK government is quite correctly committed to evidence-based policy making. However, the evidence base underpinning these proposals is lacking in both detail and efficacy,” it says.

“Additionally, there is still no agreed definition of which foods the government is including in these proposals.

“They are so broad they even capture family favourites from chocolate to peanut butter to sausage rolls.”

bbc