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Industry funding to help combat childhood obesity
More than 50 consumer groups are backing a voluntary code of practice which aims to reduce the television and internet marketing of unhealthy foods to children. This practice also calls for a ban on unhealthy food promotion in schools. In January 2008 the UK television regulator Ofcom introduced a ban on marketing unhealthy foods in adverts during shows aimed at children however this is being superseded by this new code.
The new code focuses on banning:
• Foods high in fat, sugar and salt
• Television advertising, aimed at children, between 6am and 9pm
• Internet advertising
• The use of celebrities or cartoon characters as endorsement to the product
• Competitions and free gifts
Chairman of the International Obesity Task Force, Professor Philip James, has commented saying “We challenge the giants of the food and beverage industry to throw their weight behind this and demonstrate they really do want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem”.
PhunkyFoods wholly support any efforts made by the food industry to discourage excessive consumption of foods which are high in fat, sugar and salt as high level consumption of these foods are key contributors to the escalating obesity crisis in primary aged children.
PhunkyFoods is sponsored by three big food industry names: Northern Foods (primary sponsor), Nestle and Cargill. The money given by these food industry partners provide free school places on the PhunkyFoods programme, helps with research and development costs of the programme and money enables us to reduce the cost of the programme to schools. Money is given as part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility budget and is given in the hope that the PhunkyFoods programme will successfully promote healthy eating in school aged children. These sponsors have no input into the content of the programme but by providing finance for the PhunkyFoods programme we believe that our industry partners are positively investing in the obesity crisis amongst children and young adults.
