Latest news with #AustralianAssociationofNationalAdvertisers
Sky News AU
15-05-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
'Simply doesn't make sense': Nation's peak marketing body clashes with South Australia government over policy to ban junk food ads amid obesity crisis
South Australia is set to make an extraordinary move to ban all junk food advertisements from public transportation in a bid to scale back the state's rising obesity figures. The mandatory state policy is expected to kick in from July 1 and will prohibit an array of advertisements per the COAG Health Council's National interim guide to reduce children's exposure to unhealthy food and drink promotion. Businesses will soon be restricted from advertising images of lollies, dried fruits with added sugar, chocolocate, doughnuts, savoury or flavoured crisps, burgers, pizza, nachos, processed meats, kebabs and more. The government is also expected to ban promotions of meat pies and sausage rolls. "Australians are regularly exposed to unhealthy food and drink marketing which can influence nutrition knowledge, food preferences and consumption patterns, especially for children," the South Australia government wrote in a previous statement. "Unhealthy diets continue to be a leading public health risk." However, the nation's peak advertising body has clashed with the state on the drastic policy and has criticised the extensive list of restrictions. The CEO of Australian Association of National Advertisers, Josh Faulks said: "As it stands, this policy bans all processed meats, which means a simple ham salad sandwich can't be advertised.' "This simply doesn't make sense and the government should be making evidence-based decisions, not blanket bans that don't align with nutritional science.' The AANA further highlighted the economic impact the policy could have on businesses and claimed the sweeping changes would make it hard to advertise in South Australia. 'The Tasting Australia event can no longer show images of charcuterie boards or pastries in their advertising," said Faulks. 'Under this policy, businesses that have nothing to do with the food or beverage industry will find advertising in South Australia harder. "We fully support measures that encourage healthy eating, but this policy fails to distinguish between everyday foods and discretionary items, creating confusion and unfairly restricting brands that are doing the right thing from communicating with consumers." In place of the "blanket ban" the AANA is urging the state government to instead adopt the Food Standards Australia New Zealand nutrient profiling scoring criteria to determine which foods should be restricted. According to latest government figures about 63 per cent of adults and 35 per cent of children across South Australia are overweight or obese. The state policy has garnered the support of a number of organisations including Preventative Health SA and the Cancer Council. Health Minister Chris Picton took aim at AANA and accused the peak body of ''scaremongering'' the public. ''These lobbyists want to force the State Government to keep having junk food ads on our own buses amidst an obesity crisis,'' Mr Picton said. 'Advertising of unhealthy food and drinks has long been recognised as having a harmful impact on the diets of children. ''The policy applies to government-owned Adelaide Metro buses, trains and trams. It is not up to advertising industry lobbyists to tell us what can be displayed on our public transport assets.''
Daily Telegraph
08-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Telegraph
South Australia moves forward with ham sandwich ban and people aren't happy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. Who's to say what you can or can't put in your kid's lunch box? A lot of people, actually. Just look at the recent stories published about unwanted notes left by teachers and day care workers. Unhealthy items are often the reason for the left messages, but what's unhealthy exactly? Lollies? Fairy bread? Sure. But what about the good old ham sandwich? Apparently that's on the list too, and it has caused such a stir in recent times that South Australia has now moved to ban all advertisements that mention the trusty cold meat staple. Want to join the family? Sign up to our Kidspot newsletter for more stories like this. Is ham really that bad in a sandwich? Image: iStock South Australia's ban on ham sandwiches Recent reports have confirmed that advertisements on ham and salad sandwiches will be banned on South Australia's public transport in a bid to push healthier eating in children and tackle the ongoing issue of adult and childhood obesity in their state. The ban, which is said to be enforced from July 1st 2025, will not only include cold meats like ham being plastered on the state's buses, trains and trams but will also see any images or mentions of chocolate, lollies, ice cream, soft drinks and other confectionery removed from public viewing. According to the Australian Association of National Advertisers, it's a "blanket ban" that is uncalled for and a little extreme. 'As it stands, this policy bans all processed meats, which means a simple ham salad sandwich can't be advertised.' AANA CEO Josh Faulks said, according to 'This simply doesn't make sense and the government should be making evidence-based decisions, not blanket bans that don't align with nutritional science.' RELATED: Parents rage after school bans meat in lunch boxes Is this really necessary? When looking at South Australian statistics alone, recent figures have highlighted that 63 per cent of adults and 35 per cent of children across the state are overweight or obese. If the ban comes into effect, the AANA wants the government to adopt what it calls a 'science-based approach' by using nutrient profiling scoring criteria to determine which foods should be restricted. For Australian paediatric nutritionist, Susie Burrell, the move is certainly one people in the industry saw coming given recent news about experts wanting parents to stop putting the humble hambo in their kids' lunch boxes. "The World Health Organisation classifies processed meats including salami, sausages, bacon and devon as Grade 1 carcinogen's, which means that increased consumption is associated with an increased risk of developing cancer, bowel cancer in particular. There are chemicals in both red and processed meat which can damage the lining of the gut which can lead to bowel cancer," Susie tells Kidspot. "Like many areas of nutrition though, the reality is a little bit more complicated. Not everyone who consumes processed meats will develop bowel cancer. Rather, whether or not individuals develop cancer will depend on a range of other variables including genetics, usual dietary intake, alcohol consumption, among other factors that increase or reduce the risk of cancers developing." For Susie, a ham sandwich is totally fine to put in your child's lunch box and shouldn't be the main concern for childhood obesity, leading to bans such as the one in South Australia. "In the diet of an individual who consumes large portions of red and processed meat, as part of a high fat diet with minimal fresh food, the risk overall is greater. While for someone who consumes a ham sandwich on wholegrain bread each day, along with 7-10 serves of fresh fruit and vegetables and minimal processed foods, the risk is significantly lower," she explains. "This is the issue with targeting a single food within a mixed and varied diet which may offer many other protective factors against cancer development. There is also a big difference in the range of processed meats you can find - some are low in fat; some are nitrate free and some have much more protein and less sodium – they are not all and one the same thing." The ban covers advertisements on Adelaide's transportation network. Image: NewsWire / Kelly Barnes How other states should move forward Back in 2022, the Cancer Council issued a grim warning to parents to stop putting cold, processed meats in their children's sandwiches at school because of the link to increased risk of bowel and stomach cancer. 'We know that ham is a lunch box staple for many families, however, Cancer Council recommends that we limit or avoid processed meats because of their link to increasing the risk of bowel and stomach cancer,' a release from the Cancer Council said at the time. The Australian Dietary Guidelines said these foods are deemed discretionary, like cakes and biscuits, and should therefore only be eaten occasionally. For Susie, she'd like to see more manufacturers thinking of better options to put on the market rather than pile on stress for parents about what their children can or can't eat. "Let's use public health messaging to target the manufacturers of processed meats to make better products that are lower in salt, preservative free and to create innovative products that are better for everyone's health," she says. "That is where the energy of public health organisations is much better spent and leave the consumer messaging to the clinicians who are much more familiar with the daily stressors the average family is dealing with, especially in relation to packing an appealing and nutritious school lunchbox." Originally published as South Australia moves forward with ham sandwich ban and people aren't happy
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State bans ads with ham sandwiches
South Australia will ban advertisements for unhealthy foods, including processed meats like ham, on its public transportation assets from July. Picture: Supplied Advertisements for ham salad sandwiches will soon be banned from public transportation in South Australia in a fresh push to roll back childhood and adult obesity. The ban, set to come into effect from July 1, prohibits a range of junk food items from being displayed on Adelaide's buses, trains and trams, including processed meats like ham. Chocolate, lollies, confectionary, desserts, ice creams, soft drinks and chips will all be banned from display alongside processed meats, with the measure designed to limit children's exposure to unhealthy food and drink advertising. But the Australian Association of National Advertisers is up in arms about what it calls a 'blanket ban'. ADVERTISEMENT 'As it stands, this policy bans all processed meats, which means a simple ham salad sandwich can't be advertised.' AANA CEO Josh Faulks said. 'This simply doesn't make sense and the government should be making evidence-based decisions, not blanket bans that don't align with nutritional science.' The ban covers advertisements on Adelaide's transportation network. Picture: NewsWire / Kelly Barnes The peak body warns charities and businesses could be negatively impacted by the ban. 'The policy bans all advertising showing those banned food or drink items. 'For example, an ad celebrating the anniversary of a children's charity which depicts a child with a birthday cake would be banned,' Mr Faulks said. 'The Tasting Australia event can no longer show images of charcuterie boards or pastries in their advertising. 'Under this policy, businesses that have nothing to do with the food or beverage industry will find advertising in South Australia harder.' ADVERTISEMENT The AANA has confirmed with NewsWire it opposes all advertising bans for food and beverages. If the ban comes into effect, the AANA wants the government to adopt what it calls a 'science-based approach' by using nutrient profiling scoring criteria to determine which foods should be restricted. Some 63 per cent of adults and 35 per cent of children across South Australia are overweight or obese, government figures show. Health Minister Chris Picton previously said the ban was a 'sensible step' to a 'healthier South Australia'. 'Food habits and relationships established early in life have a lasting impact on food habits and health outcomes of adults,' he said in January. 'The rising rates of obesity are concerning, which is why we have developed an evidence-based policy to restrict the advertising of unhealthy food and drinks on state government buses and trams. The ban covers processed meats like ham. Picture: Supplied. 'This policy recognises that the cumulative exposure of unhealthy food and drink advertising influences a child's food preferences and intake and the associated 'pester power' children use to persuade parents.' ADVERTISEMENT Cancer Council SA prevention and advocacy manager Christine Morris said unhealthy food and drink items were also linked to cancer. 'We know that minimising unhealthy food and drink advertising can lead to better health outcomes for everyone,' she said. 'Our research shows that forming the foundations of positive nutrition preferences in children is a big step in overall cancer prevention. 'We heartily welcome this ban as a positive move towards a healthier community.'
West Australian
07-05-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Australian Association of National Advertisers hits out at South Australian ban on unhealthy food and drink ads
Advertisements for ham salad sandwiches will soon be banned from public transportation in South Australia in a fresh push to roll back childhood and adult obesity. The ban, set to come into effect from July 1, prohibits a range of junk food items from being displayed on Adelaide's buses, trains and trams, including processed meats like ham. Chocolate, lollies, confectionary, desserts, ice creams, soft drinks and chips will all be banned from display alongside processed meats, with the measure designed to limit children's exposure to unhealthy food and drink advertising. But the Australian Association of National Advertisers is up in arms about what it calls a 'blanket ban'. 'As it stands, this policy bans all processed meats, which means a simple ham salad sandwich can't be advertised.' AANA CEO Josh Faulks said. 'This simply doesn't make sense and the government should be making evidence-based decisions, not blanket bans that don't align with nutritional science.' The peak body warns charities and businesses could be negatively impacted by the ban. 'The policy bans all advertising showing those banned food or drink items. 'For example, an ad celebrating the anniversary of a children's charity which depicts a child with a birthday cake would be banned,' Mr Faulks said. 'The Tasting Australia event can no longer show images of charcuterie boards or pastries in their advertising. 'Under this policy, businesses that have nothing to do with the food or beverage industry will find advertising in South Australia harder.' The AANA has called for a 'clearer and more practical approach'. NewsWire has written to the AANA for clarity on what that might mean. If the ban comes into effect, the AANA wants the government to adopt what it calls a 'science-based approach' by using nutrient profiling scoring criteria to determine which foods should be restricted. Some 63 per cent of adults and 35 per cent of children across South Australia are overweight or obese, government figures show. Health Minister Chris Picton previously said the ban was a 'sensible step' to a 'healthier South Australia'. 'Food habits and relationships established early in life have a lasting impact on food habits and health outcomes of adults,' he said in January. 'The rising rates of obesity are concerning, which is why we have developed an evidence-based policy to restrict the advertising of unhealthy food and drinks on state government buses and trams. 'This policy recognises that the cumulative exposure of unhealthy food and drink advertising influences a child's food preferences and intake and the associated 'pester power' children use to persuade parents.' Cancer Council SA prevention and advocacy manager Christine Morris said unhealthy food and drink items were also linked to cancer. 'We know that minimising unhealthy food and drink advertising can lead to better health outcomes for everyone,' she said. 'Our research shows that forming the foundations of positive nutrition preferences in children is a big step in overall cancer prevention. 'We heartily welcome this ban as a positive move towards a healthier community.'
Perth Now
07-05-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Ham sandwiches centre of bus furore
Advertisements for ham salad sandwiches will soon be banned from public transportation in South Australia in a fresh push to roll back childhood and adult obesity. The ban, set to come into effect from July 1, prohibits a range of junk food items from being displayed on Adelaide's buses, trains and trams, including processed meats like ham. Chocolate, lollies, confectionary, desserts, ice creams, soft drinks and chips will all be banned from display alongside processed meats, with the measure designed to limit children's exposure to unhealthy food and drink advertising. But the Australian Association of National Advertisers is up in arms about what it calls a 'blanket ban'. 'As it stands, this policy bans all processed meats, which means a simple ham salad sandwich can't be advertised.' AANA CEO Josh Faulks said. 'This simply doesn't make sense and the government should be making evidence-based decisions, not blanket bans that don't align with nutritional science.' The ban covers advertisements on Adelaide's transportation network. NewsWire / Kelly Barnes Credit: News Corp Australia The peak body warns charities and businesses could be negatively impacted by the ban. 'The policy bans all advertising showing those banned food or drink items. 'For example, an ad celebrating the anniversary of a children's charity which depicts a child with a birthday cake would be banned,' Mr Faulks said. 'The Tasting Australia event can no longer show images of charcuterie boards or pastries in their advertising. 'Under this policy, businesses that have nothing to do with the food or beverage industry will find advertising in South Australia harder.' The AANA has called for a 'clearer and more practical approach'. NewsWire has written to the AANA for clarity on what that might mean. If the ban comes into effect, the AANA wants the government to adopt what it calls a 'science-based approach' by using nutrient profiling scoring criteria to determine which foods should be restricted. Some 63 per cent of adults and 35 per cent of children across South Australia are overweight or obese, government figures show. Health Minister Chris Picton previously said the ban was a 'sensible step' to a 'healthier South Australia'. 'Food habits and relationships established early in life have a lasting impact on food habits and health outcomes of adults,' he said in January. 'The rising rates of obesity are concerning, which is why we have developed an evidence-based policy to restrict the advertising of unhealthy food and drinks on state government buses and trams. The ban covers processed meats like ham. Supplied. Credit: News Limited 'This policy recognises that the cumulative exposure of unhealthy food and drink advertising influences a child's food preferences and intake and the associated 'pester power' children use to persuade parents.' Cancer Council SA prevention and advocacy manager Christine Morris said unhealthy food and drink items were also linked to cancer. 'We know that minimising unhealthy food and drink advertising can lead to better health outcomes for everyone,' she said. 'Our research shows that forming the foundations of positive nutrition preferences in children is a big step in overall cancer prevention. 'We heartily welcome this ban as a positive move towards a healthier community.'
