government delay the ban on “buy one get one free offers on junk food and watershed before 9pm for Television advertising, as Boris Johnson put it cost of life crisis ahead of pledge to fight rising obesity in UK problem.
prime minister understood, decided to postpone the implementation of policy for at least year – and perhaps abandon them altogether – after chairing a ministerial meeting in search of ideas for help alleviate cost of living crisis on Wednesday.
decision postpone new measures that were designed to be something of severe marketing restrictions in in the world immediately drew criticism from health campaigners.
Jamie Oliver, longtime activist for healthy eating, said Johnson needed show “real leadership” and stop making excuses for don’t move forward with in national fight against obesity strategy.
“This is a missed opportunity and it is starting to destroy all obesity. strategy,” he said. “Politics like limiting junk food advertising to kids is critical for alignment up and popular with in public.
“Parents and children want hear any more excuses from government. I really hope that prime minister proves to me wrong and shows real leadership in give young people healthier and fairer future”.
Ban on Bogof’s actions were supposed to start force since October, but as a household struggle deal with rising electricity bills and with inflation in 40-year high, rejecting cheap offers is now seen as a risky political move.
According to numerous sources, government will still move forward with ban on junk food ads in some high-ranking store locations, for example, at the end of the aisle, at the ticket office and at the entrance, and in prominent places in supermarket apps and websites.
Last month, Kellogg’s, owner of cereals like Coco Pops and Special K sued against in government over in rules prevent the brand from promoting some of its products are prominent on shelves.
government is an also implementation delay of ban on television advertisement for foods high in in fat, salt and sugar before 9 pm, which should have been force From January. This also thought the delay would extend to plans ban junk food ads online.
Sign up to your daily Business Today email or follow Guardian Business on Twitter on @BusinessDesk
Chronology for introduction of a ban on TV and online advertising was already under pressure like government not started consultation yet on how prohibition would work such as fines for breaking it. It is clear that it was already mechanism built in plans potentially delay start of ban.
Ministers are said to have persuaded Boris Johnson that bans it would be extremely costly food and advertising industry at a time when economy is under intense pressure, according to the Times, which first told governments plans postpone.
Brands spend over £600m on food advertisement online and on TV annually. Ban on television advertisement for foods high in in fat, salt and sugar before 9 pm could cost broadcasters such as ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky, more than £200 million a year year in income.
“Obesity is on the rise and millions of families cannot afford to supply normal food on table,” said Barbara Crowther. of action “Children’s food”. “Multi-buy proposes to do people spend more on trash and less on healthy food. The delay jeopardizes the UK’s goal of halving childhood obesity by 2030. playing politics with our children’s health”.
