Citation
(2009), "Fats all folks!", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 39 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2009.01739aab.019
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Fats all folks!
Article Type: Food facts From: Nutrition & Food Science, Volume 39, Issue 1
Which? pushes industry to CAP, tackle and stop cartoon marketing of unhealthy foods to kids.
Tony the Tiger, Pom-Bear, Moo the Dairylea cow and Snap, Crackle and Pop are cartoon baddies in the fight against childhood obesity and diet-related disease, new Which? research has revealed.
Out of 19 children’s food company cartoon favourites, not a single character promoted only healthier products. The research demonstrates the need for industry to amend their self-regulatory CAP and BCAP codes and use these much-loved characters to promote foods that are lower in fat, salt and sugar.
Despite being revised in April 2007, the protection offered to children by the CAP and BCAP code remains weak. At the moment these industry codes restrict the use of third-party licensed characters like Shrek for younger children, but do nothing to stop company-owned characters and do not cover all types of promotions, including packaging.
The Cartoon League Table was compiled after two-thirds (66 per cent) of people told Which? they think food companies should not be allowed to use cartoon characters to promote unhealthy foods to children.
This new research is part of Which?’s wider campaign to introduce restrictions on marketing of junk food to children through TV, internet and packaging as part of the broader fight against childhood obesity and diet-related health problems.