The UK has banned junk food advertising on television before 9pm and online at any time. This action is long overdue. Australia has been circling this conversation for at least a decade with nothing to show for it.

Banning social media for children had real political capital, with more parent voters pleased than detractors upset. It was good for families and it was good politics. Junk food advertising doesn’t carry the same electoral weight, so it gets kicked around like a political football. Lots of discussion. No action.

Meanwhile, Australian children see approximately 35 hours of food advertising annually. That’s 800 junk food ads a year teaching young minds what food means, what celebration looks like, what comfort tastes like. The Cancer Council’s research shows sugary drink companies spent $129.5 million on advertising over two years, more than five times what the government invested in healthy eating campaigns. One in four Australian children are already overweight or obese.

We know who’s winning this fight. It’s not the kids.

Junk food brands have always targeted children. Playgrounds, clowns, crowns, cookies, “junior”........

© Mumbrella