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The proposed measure has divided stakeholders |
The UK government is said to be on the verge of tearing up plans to ban online ads promoting foods high in fat, sugar and salt.
A report of The sun The newspaper said on Friday that the proposals, announced last year, were to be scrapped.
In November, the UK government submitted its proposals for consultations with industry and other stakeholders. The consultation ran until December 22, and government officials reviewed the comments received.
Approached by just-food, the UK Department for Health and Social Affairs declined to comment. It is understood that the ministry plans to release the results of the consultation shortly, although it is not known when this could happen.
Industry organizations have criticized the proposals. In November, UK manufacturers, the restaurant industry and advertisers wrote to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, saying the plans would have a “disproportionate impact” on small and medium-sized businesses.
In the letter, industry representatives agreed that “products high in fat, salt or sugar should not be aimed at children,” but argued that advertisers have “sophisticated online tools … to target their advertisements to an adult audience “.
They also expressed concern that the proposals “would control how producers describe their products on their own websites and social media channels, despite previous assurances that the government has no interest in doing so.”
In response to The sunThe newspaper’s report, which cited what the newspaper called “Whitehall insiders”, a spokesperson for the UK trade body The Food and Drink Federation said: “We are unable to comment on this as it it is still speculation. “
Health professionals have expressed concern that the government will reverse its plans.
Dr Emma Boyland, senior lecturer on appetite and obesity at the University of Liverpool, said such a move would be “extremely disappointing”.
Very disappointing though the UK government. drop the planned ban on online food marketing.
Impact analyzes that force you to think about a simple caloric value are so problematic in this space, there is so much more to consider (norms, cultural values, meal model, brand loyalty …)
– Dr. Emma Boyland (@EmmaBoyland) March 28, 2021
Adam Briggs, senior researcher at UK charity The Health Foundation, tweeted: ‘If this is true, it is so short-sighted.
The UK, meanwhile, today announced the creation of a new unit to focus on public health issues, including obesity, once the current agency Public Health England is dismantled. .
The Office for Health Promotion, which will sit within the UK Department for Health and Welfare, “will lead national efforts to improve and improve the health of the nation by tackling obesity, by improving mental health and promoting physical activity, ”the government said. .
Johnson said: “The new Office for Health Promotion will be crucial in addressing the causes, not just the symptoms, of poor health and in improving disease and illness prevention. Covid-19 has been shown the importance of physical health in our ability to fight these diseases, diseases, and we must continue to help people lead healthy lives so that we can all better prevent and fight disease. “
Public Health England will cease operations later this year. The agency has been criticized in UK government circles for its response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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