FAU comments on Children’s Food Bill

Today, the Food Advertising Unit (FAU) welcomes certain elements of the Children’s Food Bill, proposed by Mary Creagh MP, particularly her call for improvements to school meals and the introduction of practical cooking skills in schools. These could make a long term sustainable difference to tackling the adverse trend in children’s weight.

Commenting on the Private Members Bill, Jeremy Preston, Director of the FAU said:

“In the last year, the food and soft drinks industry and broadcasters have made great strides in implementing a wide range of initiatives to improve children’s diet. These include advertising lifestyle messages, and introducing products lower in fat, sugar and salt. The industry continues to call for a behavioural change campaign. Meanwhile, broadcasters have already begun a number of initiatives on healthy living, delivering many insightful and influential programmes – not least Jamie’s School Dinners”.

“The industry is also fully engaged with Government in delivering key elements of its White Paper – Choosing Health. It has made detailed proposals to the broadcast regulator, Ofcom, which is currently reviewing the broadcast advertising codes with a view to strengthening them. The FAU is also an active member of the Government’s Forum, tasked with reviewing non-broadcast advertising and promotions and it will make recommendations accordingly”.

He added,

“On the advertising front, it is important to note that in the years 1998-2003, Children’s BMI has risen by about 25% at a time when food and soft drink advertising has fallen by a similar amount. This key statistic underlines the need to ensure that any interventions are targeted in areas that will truly make a difference”.

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Notes to editors

1. The Food Advertising Unit (FAU), based in the offices of the UK Advertising Association is a centre for information, communication and research in the area of food advertising, particularly television advertising to children. The FAU represents media, manufacturers and agencies with an interest in food advertising.