News • Children's Food Campaign
Children's food campaigners welcome OFCOM cave-in
Richard Watts, Campaign Coordinator for the Children's Food Bill said: 'Ofcom have folded under enormous pressure from the health and consumer lobby, and under threat of judicial review by the National Heart Forum, and are now consulting on protecting children from junk food TV adverts before the 9pm watershed. Given the scale of problems with childhood obesity we are confident that the case for getting tough on junk food TV adverts is very strong - and we are delighted that Ofcom have now said they will listen to us.'
Richard Watts, Campaign Coordinator for the Children's Food Bill said: “Ofcom have folded under enormous pressure from the health and consumer lobby, and under threat of judicial review by the National Heart Forum, and are now consulting on protecting children from junk food TV adverts before the 9pm watershed. Given the scale of problems with childhood obesity we are confident that the case for getting tough on junk food TV adverts is very strong – and we are delighted that Ofcom have now said they will listen to us.”
He continued: “This is a real victory for the underdog. The health and consumer lobby has won concessions in the teeth of opposition from well funded industry groups. The momentum behind ending junk food TV adverts before the watershed is growing every day.”
- Ends -
All media enquiries should be directed to:
Richard Watts, Sustain:
Tel: 0203 5596 777 (work); 07710 782719 (mobile); email: richard@sustainweb.org
Notes to editors:
1. The Children's Food Bill calls for:
2. 161 national and almost 140 local organisations already support Sustain's campaign for the Children's Food Bill to become law. This list includes many prominent medical, health and consumer organisations, professional associations and children's charities – the full list is available from: www.childrensfoodbill.org.uk
3. The names of the MPs that have signed EDM 2278 on Ofcom can be found at: http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=30821&SESSION=875
4. 286 MPs from all parties who have confirmed their support for the Children's Food Bill by signing the Children's Food Early Day Motion, EDM 378. For a list please see: http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=28588&SESSION=875
http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=28588&SESSION=875
5. Sustain: The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agricultural policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity. Sustain is a registered charity and has a membership of around 100 national public interest organisations. For more information, see: www.sustainweb.org
He continued: “This is a real victory for the underdog. The health and consumer lobby has won concessions in the teeth of opposition from well funded industry groups. The momentum behind ending junk food TV adverts before the watershed is growing every day.”
- Ends -
All media enquiries should be directed to:
Richard Watts, Sustain:
Tel: 0203 5596 777 (work); 07710 782719 (mobile); email: richard@sustainweb.org
Notes to editors:
1. The Children's Food Bill calls for:
- protecting children from the marketing of unhealthy food and drink products
- improving standards to ensure that all school meals are healthy
- banning the sale of unhealthy food and drinks from school vending machines
- teaching food education and practical food skills, such as cooking and growing, to all children
- ensuring the government promotes healthy foods, like fruit and vegetables, to children
2. 161 national and almost 140 local organisations already support Sustain's campaign for the Children's Food Bill to become law. This list includes many prominent medical, health and consumer organisations, professional associations and children's charities – the full list is available from: www.childrensfoodbill.org.uk
3. The names of the MPs that have signed EDM 2278 on Ofcom can be found at: http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=30821&SESSION=875
4. 286 MPs from all parties who have confirmed their support for the Children's Food Bill by signing the Children's Food Early Day Motion, EDM 378. For a list please see: http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=28588&SESSION=875
http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=28588&SESSION=875
5. Sustain: The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agricultural policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity. Sustain is a registered charity and has a membership of around 100 national public interest organisations. For more information, see: www.sustainweb.org
Published Monday 26 June 2006
Children's Food Campaign: Better food and food teaching for children in schools, and protection of children from junk food marketing are the aims of Sustain's high-profile Children's Food Campaign. We also want clear food labelling that can be understood by everyone, including children.
