Latest news with #HFSS
Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Major change to TV ban on junk food adverts before 9pm
The plans had been due to be implemented in October but a four-month pause will now take place to allow officials to work on clearer guidelines on the restrictions Plans to ban TV adverts for junk food before 9pm will be delayed until January next year. Ministers will also change the legislation so that brand-only advertising, which does not show specific products high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS), is not caught under the rules. The plans had been due to be implemented in October. It is understood that a four-month pause will now allow the Department of Health and the Advertising Standards Authority to work on a clearer interpretation of the restrictions. This is despite many retailers, including major grocers, previously committing to a voluntary October start. The restrictions will now legally take effect on January 5. Regardless, key industry stakeholders including ITV, Channel 4, the Advertising Association and the British Retail Consortium, have committed to complying with the restrictions from October 1. The decision comes amid concerns raised by retailers and broadcasters about the impact of the ban and confusion over the rules. In April, the Government was forced to reassure businesses that pure brand messages are not "in scope" of the upcoming ban. Speaking at the Retail Technology Show earlier this year, M&S chairman Archie Norman said the government's new HFSS advertising rules "probably mean we can't run a Christmas ad", due to many festive foods not adhering to HFSS guidelines. A Government spokesman said: "Obesity robs children of the best start in life and sets them up for a lifetime of health problems, which costs the NHS billions. "We have secured a unique and public commitment from advertisers and broadcasters so that from October 1 2025, adverts for identifiable less healthy products will not be shown on TV before 9pm or at any time online, and this will be a legal duty from January 2026. "The junk food advertising restrictions on TV and online are a crucial part of our plan for change to raise the healthiest generation of children ever. By reducing children's exposure to junk food advertising, we will remove up to 7.2 billion calories from UK children's diets each year." An Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) spokesman said: "The Government has set out its intention to bring in amending legislation to push back the implementation date on LHF (less healthy food and drink) ad restrictions and to consult on changing the law on brand exemption. "We recognise the importance of this issue for a range of stakeholders, therefore, together with Ofcom, we will now carefully assess what this means for the process to develop and implement the rules and guidance and will provide a further update as soon as possible."
Wales Online
22-05-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Food ad ban which will 'end Christmas adverts' delayed until January
Food ad ban which will 'end Christmas adverts' delayed until January Broadcasters will voluntarily introduce the new rules from October and it will become law next year A mother and her two sons sit on the sofa enjoying a home movie night Government plans to ban TV advertising for products high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) before 9pm will be delayed until January 2026, following concerns from food and media brands and confusion over enforcement guidelines. The delay to the ban, which was to have come into effect from October, comes as ministers prepare to amend legislation to ensure brand-only advertising, which does not show specific HFSS products, is not caught under the rules. Regardless, key industry stakeholders including ITV, Channel 4, the Advertising Association and the British Retail Consortium, have committed to complying with the restrictions from October 1. The restrictions will legally take effect on January 5. A Government spokesman said: 'Obesity robs children of the best start in life and sets them up for a lifetime of health problems, which costs the NHS billions. We have secured a unique and public commitment from advertisers and broadcasters so that from October 1 2025, adverts for identifiable less healthy products will not be shown on TV before 9pm or at any time online, and this will be a legal duty from January 2026. 'The junk food advertising restrictions on TV and online are a crucial part of our plan for change to raise the healthiest generation of children ever. By reducing children's exposure to junk food advertising, we will remove up to 7.2 billion calories from UK children's diets each year.' It is understood that a four-month pause will now allow the Department of Health and the Advertising Standards Authority to work on a clearer interpretation of the restrictions. This is despite many retailers, including major grocers, previously committing to a voluntary October 2025 start. Article continues below An Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) spokesman said: 'The Government has set out its intention to bring in amending legislation to push back the implementation date on LHF (less healthy food and drink) ad restrictions and to consult on changing the law on brand exemption. We recognise the importance of this issue for a range of stakeholders, therefore, together with Ofcom, we will now carefully assess what this means for the process to develop and implement the rules and guidance and will provide a further update as soon as possible.' The decision comes amid concerns raised by retailers and broadcasters about the impact of the ban. In April, the Government was forced to reassure businesses that pure brand messages are not 'in scope' of the upcoming ban. However, it added that brands might have to be more creative in the way they showcase their food ranges. Addressing the House of Commons last month, health minister Ashley Dalton said, 'While it is for a court to interpret the legislation, the Government's view remains that pure brand advertising is not in scope of this policy. This is because the legislation only restricts adverts that could reasonably be considered to be for identifiable less healthy products, and not adverts that could be reasonably understood to be advertising brands. Article continues below 'We therefore expect that businesses will still have opportunities to promote their brands, provided that their adverts do not identify a less healthy product.' Ms Dalton also said that the final interpretation of the junk food ad guidelines would be up to regulators, with the law providing 'considerable discretion' in how the new rules can be enforced. Speaking at the Retail Technology Show earlier this year, M&S chairman Archie Norman said the government's new HFSS advertising rules 'probably mean we can't run a Christmas ad', due to many festive foods not adhering to HFSS guidelines.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ban on TV adverts for foods high in fat, salt and sugar delayed until 2026
Government plans to ban TV advertising for products high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) before 9pm will be delayed until January 2026, following concerns from food and media brands and confusion over enforcement guidelines. The delay to the ban, which was to have come into effect from October, comes as ministers prepare to amend legislation to ensure brand-only advertising, which does not show specific HFSS products, is not caught under the rules. Regardless, key industry stakeholders including ITV, Channel 4, the Advertising Association and the British Retail Consortium, have committed to complying with the restrictions from October 1. The restrictions will legally take effect on January 5. A Government spokesman said: 'Obesity robs children of the best start in life and sets them up for a lifetime of health problems, which costs the NHS billions. 'We have secured a unique and public commitment from advertisers and broadcasters so that from October 1 2025, adverts for identifiable less healthy products will not be shown on TV before 9pm or at any time online, and this will be a legal duty from January 2026. 'The junk food advertising restrictions on TV and online are a crucial part of our plan for change to raise the healthiest generation of children ever. By reducing children's exposure to junk food advertising, we will remove up to 7.2 billion calories from UK children's diets each year.' It is understood that a four-month pause will now allow the Department of Health and the Advertising Standards Authority to work on a clearer interpretation of the restrictions. This is despite many retailers, including major grocers, previously committing to a voluntary October 2025 start. An Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) spokesman said: 'The Government has set out its intention to bring in amending legislation to push back the implementation date on LHF (less healthy food and drink) ad restrictions and to consult on changing the law on brand exemption. 'We recognise the importance of this issue for a range of stakeholders, therefore, together with Ofcom, we will now carefully assess what this means for the process to develop and implement the rules and guidance and will provide a further update as soon as possible.' The decision comes amid concerns raised by retailers and broadcasters about the impact of the ban. In April, the Government was forced to reassure businesses that pure brand messages are not 'in scope' of the upcoming ban. However, it added that brands might have to be more creative in the way they showcase their food ranges. Addressing the House of Commons last month, health minister Ashley Dalton said, 'While it is for a court to interpret the legislation, the Government's view remains that pure brand advertising is not in scope of this policy. 'This is because the legislation only restricts adverts that could reasonably be considered to be for identifiable less healthy products, and not adverts that could be reasonably understood to be advertising brands. 'We therefore expect that businesses will still have opportunities to promote their brands, provided that their adverts do not identify a less healthy product.' Ms Dalton also said that the final interpretation of the junk food ad guidelines would be up to regulators, with the law providing 'considerable discretion' in how the new rules can be enforced. Speaking at the Retail Technology Show earlier this year, M&S chairman Archie Norman said the government's new HFSS advertising rules 'probably mean we can't run a Christmas ad', due to many festive foods not adhering to HFSS guidelines.
Hans India
12-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Just 5 min exposure to junk food ads can coax kids to consume more calories daily
Just five minutes of advertising of junk foods -- essentially high in saturated fats, sugar, and/or salt (HFSS) -- is enough to coax children and adolescents to consume significantly more calories during the day, according to a study. The study showed that 7-15-year-olds with just five minutes of ad exposure, regardless of the type of media advertising, can consume on average 130 kcals per day extra, which is equivalent to the calories in two slices of bread. "Our findings offer crucial novel information on the extent, nature, and impact of unhealthy food marketing via different types of media on young people's eating behaviour," said lead author Professor Emma Boyland from the University of Liverpool in the UK. "Even short exposure to the marketing of foods high in fat, salt, and sugar can drive excess calorie consumption and potentially weight gain, particularly in young people who are more susceptible to advertising and whose eating patterns influence their lifelong health," Boyland added. The study, based on a randomised crossover trial of 240 volunteers between the ages of 7 and 15 years, is being presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Malaga, Spain. The analysis found that following exposure to HFSS food ads, children consumed more snacks (+58.4 kcals), more lunch (+72.5 kcals), and more food overall (snack and lunch combined (+130.90 kcals) than after exposure to non-food ads. "Our results show that unhealthy food marketing leads to sustained increases in caloric intake in young people at a level sufficient to drive weight gain over time,' Boyland said. Unhealthy weight gain in adolescents may lead to a host of health issues, including obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. The study will help in the design of urgent restrictive food marketing policies that can protect children's health, said the team.
Powys County Times
11-05-2025
- Health
- Powys County Times
Five minutes of junk food advertising ‘leads children to eat 130 extra calories'
Five minutes of junk food advertising results in children consuming 130 extra calories per day, researchers say. A study found that advertising and marketing across platforms such as social media, TV and podcasts all had a similar effect. The research, which has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal, was presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga. The study found that seven to 15-year-olds exposed to five minutes of adverts for foods high in saturated fat, sugar, and/or salt (HFSS) consumed on average 130 extra calories per day – the equivalent of a small chocolate bar. Lead author, Professor Emma Boyland from the University of Liverpool, said: 'Even short exposure to marketing of foods high in fat, salt and sugar can drive excess calorie consumption and potentially weight gain, particularly in young people who are more susceptible to advertising and whose eating patterns influence their lifelong health.' The research included 240 children aged seven to 15. Analysis showed that following exposure to HFSS food ads, children consumed more snacks (an extra 58.4 calories), more lunch (an extra 72.5 calories), and more food overall (snack and lunch combined) than after exposure to non-food advertising. Those children with a higher body mass index also showed a 'greater responsivity' to the food adverts, experts found. The Government is introducing a ban on the targeting of junk food adverts at children from October this year. It estimates this will prevent thousands of cases of childhood obesity. The restrictions affect advertising for less healthy food or drink on television between 5.30am and 9pm, alongside paid-for advertising online at any time. Other types of advertising, such as billboards and other outdoor advertising, are not be affected by the change.
