Scotland health minister supports TV junk food ban

Tuesday, 20 March 2012 2:28 PM

Proposals to ban junk food adverts before 9pm have new support in Scotland. Public health minister Michael Matheson has written to Westminster Health Secretary Andrew Lansley to ask whether he would support a move to introduce a ban across the UK. A study from Newcastle University found that children say they are still being exposed to the same levels of advertising for such foods, despite Ofcom banning these commercials during programmes aimed at youngsters.

Matheson noted how broadcast advertising influences the choices made by children and can shape their attitudes to food in future. "Broadcast advertising is delivered across the UK and we need strong action and co-operation between governments to address this issue," he said. "That's why we want to introduce a pre-watershed ban and are looking to the UK Government to support such a move which would carry the additional benefit of encouraging our partners in the food industry to reformulate their produce to lower salt, fat and sugar content."

The original policy aims were to 'reduce substantially' children's exposure to advertising for foods high in fat, sugar and salt but critics say too many adverts are still shown in famiyl viewing slots.

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