16-05-2025
Aussie parent exposes huge problem with 'ham sandwich ban' - as health expert exposes why it is unhealthy
South Australia is moving ahead with a new ban on advertisements for unhealthy food and drinks, with items ranging from confectionery to the humble ham sandwich facing restrictions.
The ban, which comes into effect on July 1, will prohibit ads for unhealthy food and beverage products on Adelaide 's public transport network - including buses, trains, and trams.
Banned items include processed meats such as ham and salami, burgers, pizza, lollies, chocolate, soft drinks, and other confectionery.
Under current classification rules, even fortified soy milk is considered a sugar-sweetened beverage and will be banned, while jam is allowed, and rice cakes are not.
The move is designed to limit children's exposure to unhealthy food and drink advertising.
But mother-of-two Angelina told Daily Mail Australia that the ban was stupid, when fast food companies could still target kids on TV and YouTube.
'If I make my kids a sandwich with ham, it usually includes cheese, lettuce and cucumber as well,' Angelina said.
'My kids have never looked at an ad that pictures ham and begged me to buy it for them.
'They end up begging me to buy fast food after they see ads from places like McDonald's, KFC and Hungry Jacks. That's the real problem.'
The Australian Association of National Advertisers says the ban is unjustified.
'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.'
It also warns that charities and businesses could be negatively impacted by the ban.
'The policy bans all advertising showing those banned food or drink items,' Mr Faulks said.
'For example, an ad celebrating the anniversary of a children's charity which depicts a child with a birthday cake would be banned.
Health Minister Chris Picton hit out at AANA's stance, claiming the body was 'scaremongering'.
'These lobbyists want to force the State Government to keep having junk food ads on our own buses amidst an obesity crisis,' Mr Picton told Newswire.
'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.'
When the policy was announced, Mr Picton said children were bombarded with unhealthy food and drink ads, which have long been recognised as having a negative impact on their diets.
'Each year, big brands spend millions of dollars on catchy slogans and appealing ads to encourage South Australian children to consume more highly processed foods containing high fat, high salt and high sugar,' Mr Picton said.
'Banning these ads in some of the key places they are seen regularly, especially by children, is a sensible step towards a healthier South Australia.
'Food habits and relationships established early in life have a lasting impact on food habits and health outcomes of adults.
The ban has also been backed by a number of organisations including Preventative Health SA and the Cancer Council.
Government figures revealed 35.2 per cent of children and 63.1 per cent of adults in South Australia were overweight or obese.
Modelling also indicated that if no action was taken the number of South Australians that were overweight or living with obesity was expected to grow by an additional 1,900 children and 48,000 adults in the next five years.
Lauren Ball, Professor of Community Health and Wellbeing at The University of Queensland, previously warned parents about the health risks of too much ham
'Ham itself is not inherently considered junk food. It's a source of protein and many other nutrients.
'However, certain types of ham products – especially highly processed or cured hams – are less healthy options for several reasons.
'Many commercially available hams, especially highly processed and cured varieties, can be high in sodium, which is salt.
'Excessive sodium intake is associated with health issues such as high blood pressure and can increase the risk of heart disease and strokes.
'On average, Australian children consume more sodium than the recommended upper limit: 600 mg a day for children aged four to eight and 800 mg a day for those aged nine to 13.
'The World Health Organisation says reducing sodium is one of the most cost-effective ways nations can improve the health of their populations.
Some processed hams may contain additives, preservatives and flavour-enhancers we should limit, she warned.
'The methods to process and cure ham may involve smoking, which can produce compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In large quantities, these may cause health concerns, including increasing the risk of bowel cancer.'
She advised Aussies that when choosing ham to read the labels and select products with a lower sodium content, minimal additives and healthier preparation methods.
In 2019 the Cancer Council sparked controversy after telling parents to to avoid adding muesli bars, ham sandwiches and savoury biscuits to their children's school lunch boxes.
Muffins, biscuits, crackers with cheese spread and fruit boxes were all dubbed snacks families should avoid buying at the supermarket, in a list of 'unhealthy snacks' shared by the Cancer Council.
Instead of a muesli bar, the organisation suggested parents whip up a homemade version, or some zucchini, broccoli and cheese hashbrown cups - which are shredded hashbrowns baked into the shape of a cup and filled with various toppings.
Alternative options for a slice of cake included fruit loaf and pumpkin and sweet potato scones.
For fruit juice, milk or water was suggested instead, and for a bag of biscuits, parents were encouraged to consider giving their kids pita bread and roast vegetable dip, or vegetable muffins.
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