A new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) report has revealed that food and beverage corporations spent $1.6 billion dollars in food advertising in 2006. Food and beverage corporations are increasingly targeting children 2-17 on through television and internet advertisements. Other reports have shown that total advertising and marketing spent on young people has reached as high as $10 billion dollars a year.
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) has urged industry and government regulators to redirect the billions of dollars spent every year in junk food advertising toward advertising and programs focused healthy eating.
The recent surge in childhood obesity and preventable diseases, like diabetes, are directly linked to the increased consumption of junk food by young people.
The FTC's report recommended that the food & beverage companies and government agencies,:
-Media and entertainment companies should limit the licensing of characters to healthier foods and drinks. Also, it says media companies should limit ads placed on children's television program to healthier food and beverage products.
-Encourage schools to adopt meaningful nutrition standards for the foods that are sold there, and it recommended that companies cease all in-school promotion of products that don't meet such standards.
-Companies that market food and drinks to children should expand public outreach efforts to educate children about the importance of healthy eating and exercise, with particular attention aimed at minority populations that are disproportionately affected by childhood obesity, the commission added.
The Organic Consumers Association believes that immediate action needs to be taken. Our children deserve more than volunteer, uneforceable corporate greenwashing. Please contact your Congresspersons today!
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