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‘WATCHDOG’ STANCE ON TV ADVERT JUNK FOOD BAN ‘WASTED OPPORTUNITY’
CPHVA likens Ofcom to guard dog that won’t bark
The decision by Ofcom, the media regulator, to come out against a ban on TV advertisements for junk food was condemned as ‘a wasted opportunity’ by the Community Practitioners’ and Health Visitors’ Association (CPHVA).
The CPHVA, which represents the majority of the UK’s health visitors and school nurses, likened the watchdog regulator as ‘a guard dog that neither bites, nor barks’.
CPHVA director, Mark Jones said today (Friday, 23 July): ‘Ofcom has missed an open goal to make a stand for the benefit of the health of young people. Obesity is rife within the general population and children do watch a lot of television and are influenced by what they see. Adverts are made to be exciting and enticing.’
‘Even Ofcom admits that television advertising has "a modest direct effect" on children’s food consumption, so why don’t they recommend tough action to Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell?’
In May, the CPHVA called for an immediate ban on TV adverts for junk food, such as crisps, with their high sugar and salt contents, otherwise thousands of children will become obese.
Mark Jones said: ‘We will continue to campaign for this ban and urge the government to reject the advice of Ofcom and the machinations of powerful food and drink lobby.’
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