Is the ban on advertising around children's programs coming?
Here, too, pressure is mounting on producers and advertisers. TV commercials for junk food aired during children’s programming are coming under increasing criticism. Meanwhile, the food industry is relying on self-regulation.
The pressure on producers and advertisers is also growing in this country. TV commercials for junk food in the context of children's programmes are being increasingly criticized. The food industry is relying on self-restraint to prevent advertising for unhealthy foods from being banned. As reported by the NZZ am Sonntag, National Councillor Heinrich Studer intends to submit an interpellation to the Federal Council in the December session. The question is whether the Federal Council is prepared to introduce restrictions like those in the UK. There, advertising for unhealthy foods on television has been banned from children's programs (see
and ). If the Federal Council is not receptive to this initiative, Studer intends to demand an amendment to the Radio and Television Act. Even if this initiative has little chance of success, food manufacturers are increasingly being pilloried as the cause of the growing incidence of obesity among children and young people. The Federation of Swiss Food Industries (Fial), which brings together around 200 companies, therefore wants to take action and impose voluntary restrictions. The aim is to avoid an advertising ban. For example, the nutritional value of products should be consistently declared. New products are also to be developed in smaller sizes. Advertising is also being rethought. Coca-Cola no longer advertises sweet drinks on vending machines in schools, but Valser water instead. Masterfoods no longer advertises to children under the age of six. Migros positions the Lilibiggs children's figures in connection with statements about healthy eating. However, the retailers do not want to do without the sweet stands in the checkout area.
However, even if a ban on advertising is not yet a political issue, the way is already being prepared. Advertising bans are an issue in the EU, where a ban is currently being examined. However, the food industry still has until spring 2007 to submit proposals for self-regulation. In Switzerland, the Federal Council intends to adopt a national strategy on nutrition, exercise and health by mid-2007. For the time being, however, manufacturers are still involved in the process.
and ). If the Federal Council is not receptive to this initiative, Studer intends to demand an amendment to the Radio and Television Act. Even if this initiative has little chance of success, food manufacturers are increasingly being pilloried as the cause of the growing incidence of obesity among children and young people. The Federation of Swiss Food Industries (Fial), which brings together around 200 companies, therefore wants to take action and impose voluntary restrictions. The aim is to avoid an advertising ban. For example, the nutritional value of products should be consistently declared. New products are also to be developed in smaller sizes. Advertising is also being rethought. Coca-Cola no longer advertises sweet drinks on vending machines in schools, but Valser water instead. Masterfoods no longer advertises to children under the age of six. Migros positions the Lilibiggs children's figures in connection with statements about healthy eating. However, the retailers do not want to do without the sweet stands in the checkout area.
However, even if a ban on advertising is not yet a political issue, the way is already being prepared. Advertising bans are an issue in the EU, where a ban is currently being examined. However, the food industry still has until spring 2007 to submit proposals for self-regulation. In Switzerland, the Federal Council intends to adopt a national strategy on nutrition, exercise and health by mid-2007. For the time being, however, manufacturers are still involved in the process.
