Voluntary commitments would not have brought much, says Food Minister Cem Özdemir. Instead, he now wants to severely restrict advertising for unhealthy foods aimed at children.
According to plans by Minister of Nutrition Cem Özdemir, advertising for foods with too much sugar, fat and salt aimed at children is to be restricted by law. “We have to ensure that children can grow up healthier,” said the Green politician on Monday in Berlin.
Previous voluntary commitments have failed when it comes to child protection. Among other things, with a view to under-14s, advertising bans are to come in “all media relevant to children”. Accordingly, such advertising should be inadmissible between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. if it can also be seen regularly by children.
The determination of excessive sugar, fat or salt content should be based on the nutritional value calculations of the World Health Organization (WHO). Outdoor advertising on posters for such unhealthy products within a radius of 100 meters around schools, day care centers, playgrounds and leisure facilities for children should also be inadmissible. Sponsorship of foods high in sugar, fat or salt to children should also be banned.
Consumer and medical groups have long urged action on the marketing of children’s products. The SPD, FDP and Greens agreed in the coalition agreement: “In the future, programs and formats for children under the age of 14 will no longer be allowed to advertise food with a high sugar, fat and salt content to children.” A restriction on advertising aimed at children is also mentioned in Özdemir’s key points for a nutrition strategy, which the Federal Cabinet approved shortly before Christmas.
Source: Stern
