Singapore Junk Food Ad thinking

THE health authorities, considering banning ads that promote unhealthy food to children, are calling for public feedback before making a decision.

With obesity rates among youth soaring, the World Health Organisation has been urging countries to reduce their exposure to the marketing of foods packed with saturated fat, trans fat, sugar and salt.

Countries including Norway have been leading the way in implementing this, and Singapore is ready to follow suit.

But the Health Promotion Board (HPB) is calling for the public to give their views on the issue, as it pushes for a set of "government-approved food advertising guidelines for children". These would apply to commercials at times when children's programmes are being aired over free-to-air TV or children's channels over subscription TV, plus advertisements in print media that are targeted at children.

Explaining why it wants the new guidelines, the HPB pointed to obesity leading to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, cancers and diabetes.

A major cause of obesity is the consumption of energy-dense and nutrient-poor foods and beverages. About 9 per cent of children in Singapore are obese.

The HPB said: "Evidence shows that advertising influences children's food preferences, purchase requests and consumption patterns."

Check out the HPB website at hpb.gov.sg/foodadvertising for more information.