Food companies criticise government plan for online advertising ban for unhealthy foods

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Many of the UK’s biggest food manufacturers have criticised the government’s plan to ban online junk food advertising in an attempt to tackle childhood obesity.

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The Food and Drink Federation (FDF), UK Hospitality, and the Advertising Association have written to the prime minister highlighting their concerns regarding the proposal.

The letter is co-signed by a number of the FDF’s members, including Associated British Foods, Mars Wrigley UK, Britvic, Mondelez International, PepsiCo UK & Ireland, General Mills, Haribo, Grenade, Pladis, Kellogg’s UK & Ireland, Princes Limited, KP Snacks, and Unilever.

In the letter, the group said they supported government efforts to tackle obesity, but the plans were “disproportionate” and lacked evidence.

They added: “While we support the government’s public health objectives we’re very concerned by the timing of the consultation, in that it is only open until the end of the year, and frankly couldn’t come at a worse time for our industry, given we’re coming up to the busiest time of the year, we’re keeping the nation fed during lockdown and are obviously bracing for a potential no-deal Brexit, which is still on the table. It leaves the industry with little time to collate an effective response.”